Topic: Bhumibol Adulyadej

Thai king's birthday marks time-out in Thailand's game of thrones

Though the royal institution once enjoyed a near-universal respect, recent political polarization has raised questions about the role of the monarchy and about the country's future after his reign. 

Global News Blog Thai censors say out, damned spot, out to Macbeth film adaptation

The maker of 'Shakespeare Must Die' is appealing the decision, but Thai bureaucrats are nervous about the movie's political overtones.

Censored: 5 plays and novels banned around the globe

Censorship of the arts has a long history, from ancient Greece to present-day Thailand. Here is a list of five plays and novels banned, for a variety of reasons, in regions across the globe.

Thai court sentences American citizen to 2.5 years in prison for insulting monarchy (VIDEO)

American Joe Gordon, who translated a banned biography of Thailand’s king and posted it online while living in Colorado, was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in a Thai prison.

American sentenced for royal insult: 4 recent cases in Thailand

Thailand's lèse-majesté laws, which include prohibitions on posting anti-monarchy slurs online, are among the world's strictest, meriting jail terms of 3 to 15 years, and in some cases, more. The rising number of lèse-majesté accusations comes as the reign of octogenarian King Bhumibol Adulyadej nears its end. Some worry that a crackdown could intensify as Thailand prepares for a transition. While it's rare for foreigners to be prosecuted, they aren't exempt. Here are four high profile cases in the past decade, three of which involve foreigners:

Clinton announces $10 million in Thailand flood relief aid, Bangkok distracted by politics

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced a $10 million aid package for Thailand flood relief during a visit to Bangkok Wednesday.

Bangkok awaits flood as northern suburbs suffer

Although it remains unclear how much of Bangkok will be flooded, people displaced by the flood in the northern suburbs try to balance keeping themselves safe with protecting their homes.

Thailand floods: Water seeps into heart of Bangkok, barriers may not hold

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra broke from earlier assurances that Bangkok would be safe from Thailand's flooding and announced that flood barriers might not hold.

Thailand's PM fights uphill reelection battle

Polls suggest that Thailand's opposition Puea Thai Party (PTP), which is loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and led by his sister, will win the largest share in a divisive July 3 parliamentary vote.

Website editor's trial in Thailand a test case for media freedom

The editor of the popular Thai website Prachatai.com faces up to 50 years in jail for hosting comments that the government charges undermine national security.

Thailand cites plots against king for clampdown on red-shirt dissent

Thailand’s government accuses the red-shirt opposition of trying to topple revered King Bhumibol. Critics argue it’s using the monarchy – and strict laws against defaming it – as an excuse to crack down.

The rule of law governs Thailand

A Christian Science perspective.

Thailand king and I: Why the protests in Bangkok put a spotlight on the monarchy

The Thailand protests reveal an open split in the kingdom over the role of the monarchy in a democracy. Is it time for the king to acknowledge it?

Thailand hints at treason as red-shirt protesters shut down trains

Thailand’s government accused red-shirt protesters of plotting against the revered king, a charge they rejected as a pretext for cracking down. Protesters forced the train system to close Tuesday in an escalation of the weeks-long standoff.

Thailand protesters warn of escalating street rallies

Tens of thousands of red-shirted Thailand protesters filled main avenues in Bangkok Sunday as they called for the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

World's longest-serving leaders: Where does Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe rank?

Robert Mugabe this week marks his 30th anniversary as president of Zimbabwe. Here's a list of the world's longest-serving leaders.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit interview: 'We're a government that can maintain order'

Confounding his critics, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit, who took office a year ago, has faced down challenges from opponents and stifled antigovernment unrest. But protesters are gearing up for more disruption.

Thai royalists target stock-market analysts over rumors of king's health

In the past week, Thai authorities have arrested three people on charges of disseminating false data. The arrests have sparked complaints of a witch hunt.

Money Daily Brief: Jobless claims fall

Asian stocks rise on the strength of better US retail sales and strong JPMorgqn Chase earnings.

Briefing: Why Thai protesters are taking to the streets again

Antigovernment activists plan to defy a tough security law to rally Saturday on the third anniversary of a military coup.

Thai protesters mark anniversary of 2006 coup