What is the Lese Majeste law?
Asked by: Rupert Fahey | Last update: May 6, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (35 votes)
Lèse-majesté law (or lese-majesty) criminalizes insulting or defaming a head of state, traditionally a monarch, but now sometimes a president, with some of the strictest versions found in Thailand, where it protects the King, Queen, and heir-apparent, leading to long prison sentences for perceived slights, even in private conversation or online, and has drawn significant international criticism for stifling free speech and dissent, despite some countries like Norway and Morocco recently abolishing similar laws.
What is the law of lèse-majesté?
Lèse-majesté or lese-majesty (UK: /ˌliːz ˈmædʒɪsti/ leez MAJ-ist-ee, US: /ˌleɪz -/ layz -) is an offence or defamation against the dignity of a ruling head of state (traditionally a monarch but now more often a president) or of the state itself.
What exactly does "lese majeste" mean?
1. a. : a crime (such as treason) committed against a sovereign power. b. : an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the representative of a sovereign power.
What is the punishment for lèse-majesté in Thailand?
Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code currently reads as follows: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
What happens if you talk about the king in Thailand?
Under article 112 of the Thailand's criminal code, criticism of the monarchy is punishable with between three and 15 years in prison. It's one of the most severe laws of its kind – known as lese majesty – anywhere in the world.
Lèse-majesté laws around the world
Can foreigners be charged with lèse-majesté?
This report seeks to help security managers understand how their traveling personnel can best navigate the sometimes-confusing rules while they are abroad. Authorities may detain individuals, including foreigners, for publicly criticizing the ruling government or the monarchy.
How many wifes does King of Thailand have?
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) has been married four times and currently has a Queen, Suthida, and a Royal Noble Consort, Sineenatra Wongvajirabhakdi, though his personal life includes other consorts and numerous relationships, making him a monarch with multiple wives and significant others. He's had four official wives: Princess Soamsawali, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, Srirasmi Suwadee, and Queen Suthida, with Sineenatra holding the title of Royal Noble Consort, an official mistress position.
Is it illegal to wear no knickers in Thailand?
Don't go commando
Thailand has a bunch of unusual laws to follow, but this one is perhaps the funniest – it's illegal to leave the house without any underwear on.
What is the biggest crime in Thailand?
Drug use and corruption make up the majority of the crime in Thailand and due to this, many Thai administrations attempted to curtail the drug trade, most notably Thaksin Shinawatra with the 2003 War on Drugs.
What happens at 6pm in Thailand?
At 6 PM in Thailand, the Thai National Anthem (Phleng Chat Thai) plays over public loudspeakers in many places like parks, malls, and train stations, causing people to pause and stand still out of respect for the King and nation, a tradition showing national unity and patriotism. This daily ritual, also happening at 8 AM, is a significant cultural moment where daily activities halt, even mid-conversation or foot massage, until the anthem concludes.
Why is it illegal to insult the king of Thailand?
In Thailand, the lèse-majesté law protects the monarchy from insult, and this can extend to private communications like text messages. While most high-profile cases involve public statements or social media, a tourist could theoretically be arrested if a message is reported and interpreted as disrespectful to the king.
Can a woman be called your majesty?
Only the crowned ruler-either the king or the queen-has the had title "Your Majesty" so far, where as the consort was called "Your Royal Highness." From now on, please change that so that both the king and the queen are addressed as "His Majesty and Her Majesty." If the next ruler is a male, then a female should also ...
Can I kiss my girlfriend in public in Thailand?
While holding hands is generally fine, kissing in public in Thailand is generally frowned upon and considered inappropriate or even offensive, as Thai culture is more conservative about public displays of affection (PDA) compared to many Western countries, with passionate kissing seen as very private and potentially sexual. It's best to keep intimate gestures private, especially outside of tourist hotspots or nightclubs, to avoid making locals uncomfortable or drawing unwanted attention.
Is my Thai wife entitled to half of everything?
▼ Is everything split 50/50 in a Thai divorce? Only marital property (Sin Somros) is split equally when the court divides the estate (civil code sections 1533–1535). Personal property (Sin Suan Tua)—owned before marriage or received as a gift/inheritance, stays with the owner if proven (section 1471).
Why did King of Thailand disown his son?
“Because there were a lot of unhappy times.” Vajiralongkorn divorced their mother in 1996 after accusing her of being unfaithful, stripping her and their sons of their titles and forbidding their return to Thailand.
Is $100 a lot in Thailand?
In Thailand USD $100 can fetch you 10-15 meals from any number of street food stalls in Bangkok, 300 Thai beers, 2-5 nights at a 3-star beach resort in Phuket, 60-140 one-way journeys on the Bangkok rail system (BTS/MRT), 2-3 one way flights between Bangkok and Phuket. Is $100 a lot in Thailand?
What is the 112 rule in Thailand?
Rule 112 in Thailand refers to Article 112 of the Criminal Code, Thailand's strict lèse-majesté law, which prohibits defaming, insulting, or threatening the King, Queen, heir-apparent, or Regent, carrying severe penalties of 3 to 15 years in prison per offense, and has been used to stifle criticism, target activists, and even criminalize online activities like sharing posts. It's one of the world's harshest such laws, leading to numerous prosecutions and sparking debate over free speech and political reform in Thailand.
Is $1000 enough for a month in Thailand?
Yes, $1,000 (around 35,000 THB) is enough for a month in Thailand if you live like a local, eating street food, using public transport, and staying outside major tourist hubs like Bangkok or Phuket, but it's tight for a luxurious lifestyle and doesn't cover flights or significant unexpected costs like visa runs, say Quora users and Reddit users. You'll need to budget carefully for essentials like housing, food, and transport, while being mindful that medical, insurance, and visa expenses are separate, according to this Quora post and this Reddit post.
Do they not use toilet paper in Thailand?
Thais usually wash with water first, then use paper to dry. You'll miss it when you go back to your home country! 🚻 SQAUT VS WESTERN TOILETS: In big cities, you'll mostly find Western sit-down toilets. But in local markets, temples, or bus stops — expect squat toilets.
Can you show cleavage in Thailand?
You generally should avoid showing cleavage in Thailand, especially in cities, temples, and shopping centers, as it's considered disrespectful in this modest culture; while beachwear (bikinis) is fine on beaches, a cover-up and modest clothing (covering shoulders and knees) are essential for temples and general sightseeing, using a shawl or loose clothing for comfort in the heat.
Why did Chulalongkorn marry his sister?
Several of his consorts were also his half-sisters. These marriages were usually done to keep the bloodline pure and the power within the right family. It is perhaps no surprise that many of their children did not survive or if they did, their health was weak. King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Thailand) was born on...
Does the Thai king son have autism?
After Vajiralongkorn divorced his second wife in 1996, he disowned their four sons, leaving Dipangkorn as his only recognised son. He is believed to have a developmental disorder, but there have been no official reports from the royal household regarding this rumour.
Which ruler had 100 wives?
Emperor Akbar had 36 wives. He had 3 of them as chief queens,however only one was his chief consort which was Ruquaiyya sultan begum,she was his first wife and childhood companion and longest serving mughal empress ever with a tenure of almost 49 years. . He had 100 other wives as recorded in akbarnama…