Wednesday, March 28, 2007

THE KING IS UNHAPPY

Oliver Jufer is screwed, but he taught us one thing: Don't mess with the King of Thailand. The Swiss man is in court for sentencing after he admitted to graffiti that insulted the king. As the BBC reports:
Jufer, 57, was arrested last December after drunkenly spray-painting several portraits of the monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Earlier this month, Jufer pleaded guilty to five charges under Thailand's draconian lese majeste law.

He could face a maximum penalty of 75 years in jail.

His lawyer has said that the minimum sentence he faces is seven-and-a-half years.


Jufer, who has lived in Thailand for more than 10 years, was recorded on surveillance cameras defacing the portraits on the king's birthday.

The case has highlighted strict laws in Thailand which forbid any criticism of the monarchy.

King Bhumibol, the world's longest-serving current head of state, is a very popular figure in Thailand.
The late word: Jufer drew 10 years in prison for his petty crime. The actual sentence was 20 years, but the judge cut the sentence in half because Jufer confessed.

1 comment:

John Stone said...

It might be noted too, that the guy was POed because the bar closed. A lifetime ago I shook hands with the King, who at the time was as young as we junior officers. Thailand (Siam) has always been one of the most beautiful, peaceful and culturally advanced countries in Asia. To get away from the cities and into the country and see the people and art is a treat.

This one was humorous because they kept running the reporters all over the city to avoid having the embarrassment of the sentenancing covered. My guess is, that he will be miracously pardoned after about thirty days in the pokey.