Third Thai Charged Over King Rumours

2 weeks ago 04th Nov 14:00

A third person has been charged for spreading rumours about the health of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Somjet Sitthiworakul was arrested yesterday (03.11.09) at his home near the Thai resort of Pattaya for allegedly damaging national security by posting false information on the internet.

It came just a day after two others - who both have links with the financial industry - were charged with spreading false information through a computer which undermined national security.

Police Lieutenant General Thangai Prasjaksattru, chief of the central investigation bureau in Thailand said: "A third suspect has been arrested by the investigation team on Tuesday and charged with violating the computer act."

A third suspect has been arrested by the investigation team on Tuesday and charged with violating the computer act.

He had no further details about Somjet's age or occupation.

The 81-year-old monarch has been hospitalised since mid-September with a lung infection, fever and fatigue.

Speculation about his prognosis triggered a massive plunge in the country's stock market.

The king's health is a sensitive topic in financial markets because he is seen as the sole unifying figure in a politically polarised country with a long history of coups and upheaval.

On Sunday (01.11.09) Teeranun Wipuchanin, a former stock trader, was detained at Bangkok airport and charged with inputting false information into a computer.

She faces up to five years in prison and a $3,000 fine.

Teeranun admitted she had translated an article by a foreign news agency and posted it online, explaining: "Everybody on that day wanted to know what caused the market to fall. The stock market had already dropped and we did the translation in the evening."

The other suspect, Katha Pajariyapong, was arrested in Bangkok. He reportedly posted a message on the same topic on a website.

The king, the world's longest serving monarch, was taken to hospital on 19 September.

After international speculation on his health, he was seen on Thai TV looking "weak but alert" for the second time on Monday (03.11.09) since being hospitalised six weeks ago.