Get All Access for $5/mo

Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Insulting the Thai Monarchy on Facebook Originally 60 years, the government reduced his punishment after the man pleaded guilty.

By Devindra Hardawar

This story originally appeared on Engadget

Shutterstock.com

While Reddit users continue to complain about their speech being restricted, following moves by the site to finally clean up its most hateful communities, internet users in Thailand continue to face actual limits to their speech.

Take, for example, 48-year-old Pongsak Sriboonpeng, who was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for insulting Thai monarchy on Facebook. That's actually a reduction from his original 60 years sentence (the Thai government took half off after he pleaded guilty -- how kind!). Pongsak's lawyer notes that his sentence has broken the record for Thailand's convictions against the country's harsh lèse-majesté rules, which makes it illegal to defame Thai royalty. His situation was even worse since he couldn't appeal the conviction -- Thailand remains under martial law following 2014's military coup.

Earlier this year, another Thai man received a 25-year prison sentence for insulting the monarchy.

Devindra Hardawar is a senior editor at Engadget.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

From Side Gig to 6-Figure Success — How I Built a Thriving Home-Based Business as a Busy Family Man

I've made over $17,000,000 for clients worldwide and brought in multiple six figures for myself, all while barely leaving my kitchen.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Franchise

Expanding Your Franchise Overseas Can Make You Millions — Or Tank Your Profits If You Don't Consider These Risks.

Deciding to expand your franchise concept internationally is a challenging one. Doing so can provide growth opportunities far beyond those in your current home market. But doing so before you're ready can create undue stress on your system. International expansion requires a full investment of time and resources to do it right; it is a serious commitment that reburies hard work, supported by a well-thought-out and well-executed game plan.

Business News

If Your Bank Is Calling, Don't Answer. It's Probably a Scam.

Scammers are getting sophisticated, from AI voices and videos to spoofing caller IDs. Here's how to spot them.

Growing a Business

How to Choose The Right Insurance Broker to Grow Your Lower to Mid-Market Company in 2025 and Beyond

Private, client-focused insurance firms matter more than ever in 2025 — here's why.