Nov 23, 2010
Thai web editor faces 70 years in jail
Chiranuch faces up to 70 years in a Thai jail for comments somebody else wrote on her website, in a case that starkly illustrates the politically divided country's deteriorating freedom of expression. -- PHOTO: AFP
BANGKOK - CHIRANUCH Premchaiporn's air of cheerful optimism crumpled briefly as she contemplated the threat of 70 years in prison - for remarks about the Thai monarchy that other people posted on her website.
'People ask, 'why don't you flee or escape?' But it is not my choice at all. I grew up in Thailand. I am part of this society,' the 43-year-old editor of the popular Prachatai news website said.
'I still hope that I will be defended by the fact that I complied with the law,' she told AFP in an interview.
Ms Chiranuch was arrested in September as she returned home from attending a cyber freedom seminar in Hungary.
She was charged with breaching computer laws and Thailand's lese majeste legislation - which prohibits criticism of the royal family - for failing to remove reader comments posted on her site swiftly enough.
Already facing trial and potentially 20 years behind bars for earlier similar charges, she believes the second case could carry a maximum sentence of 50 years. -- AFP
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