In December 2006, Oliver Jufer, a Swiss national, was arrested after spray-painting posters of the king in Chiang Mai.
The court ruled that he was guilty on 5 counts under article 112 of the Criminal Code and gave him a 20 year imprisonment. Having confessed, his sentence was reduced by half.
Jufer is believed to be the first foreigner ever imprisoned for the offense.
He was granted a royal pardon in 2007 and was deported.
Media accounts of Jufer’s case:
ABC, 12 April 2007: “Thai King pardons Swiss man”
BBC, 29 March 2007: “Swiss man jailed for Thai insult”
New Mandala, 14 March 2007: “Oliver Jufer, royal graffiti and global news”
The Guardian, 12 March 2007: “Swiss man faces up to 75 years for insulting Thai king”
Political Prisoners in Thailand 
[…] 2008. One of the commentators on the boycott opposed it, saying: “These days you have to be Swiss and drunk and in possession of a spray can to be charged with les [sic.] majeste. Most academics do not fit this profile, at least during […]
[…] 2008. One of the commentators on the boycott opposed it, saying: “These days you have to be Swiss and drunk and in possession of a spray can to be charged with les [sic.] majeste. Most academics do not fit this profile, at least during […]