Charged with lese majeste

By Wassayos Ngamkham and Wassana Nanuam

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair will be charged with insulting the monarchy, police announced on Thursday. The lightning rod minister is expected to resign on Friday.

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A senior police officer said an investigation had found that Mr Jakrapob violated criminal law and he will be summoned to face charges next week.

"The police investigating team have clear evidence and witnesses to prove that Mr. Jakrapob Penkair committed lese majeste in his address in English," at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in Bangkok, last August, said chief Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn Nonsee of the Central Investigation Bureau.

"Insulting the monarchy is a criminal offence punishable by a jail term of three to 15 years."

The embattled minister denied the allegation. He said on Monday that he would accept the harshest punishment if the law proves that he is guilty.

Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn said the investigators will call more witnesses before summoning Mr. Jakrapob to answer charges next week.