BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

A court in Thailand sentenced a 27-year-old political activist to 28 years in prison on for posting messages on Facebook that it said defamed the country's monarchy.

The court in the northern province of Chiang Rai found that Mongkhon Thirakot violated the lese majeste law in 14 of 27 posts for which he was arrested last August. The 42-year total prison term was reduced by one third, to 28 years, because of Mongkhon’s cooperation with the court. Prosecutions under the lese majeste law have recently drawn increased public attention because of a prison hunger strike by two female activists charged with the offense. The opposition Move Forward Party, which has been offering support, has proposed amending the lese majeste law, but no action has been taken in Parliament. “The entire Thai justice system has a problem and so does the enforcement of the lese majeste law, which is also used as a political tool.

A 27-year-old activist has been sentenced to 28 years in prison by a court that found he defamed Thailand's monarchy in several Facebook posts.

From her ambulance service during World War II to being immortalized by a Beatles song, Queen Elizabeth II has been the only monarch that most people in Britain have ever known.

Taking the crown on Feb. 6, 1952, the queen has ruled the United Kingdom for more than 70 years. Her tenure on the throne is second only to French King Louis XIV.

As of Monday, the queen has served for 70 years and 127 days, surpassing all but one of the world's longest-serving monarchs.

The longest-reigning monarch was Louis XIV of France

Thailand’s securities regulator says it is barring the use of cryptocurrencies for payment of goods and services.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ruled that three pro-democracy activists who called for reform of the monarchy were attempting to overthrow the nation’s system of government with the king as head of state.

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn greets supporters as he walks to participate in a candle lighting ceremony to mark the anniversary of the birth of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Queen Suthida, waved as he arrived at Bangkok's Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The king led the crowd in a candlelit tribute to his late father, whose giant image was at the center of the stage set up outside the ornate Grand Palace. Although King Bhumibhol Adulyadej died four years ago, his birthday remains on the national calendar as Fathers’ Day. In recent days, at least 12 protest leaders have been charged with royal defamation under the lese majeste laws.