Bhumibol Adulyadej

Thai faces jail for insulting king's dog: Lawyer

A Thai faces prison after being charged with lese majesty for insulting the king's dog, his lawyer said on Dec. 15, in an escalation of the already draconian royal defamation law.

Thanakorn Siripaiboon, 27, has been charged by police with lese majesty for a "satirical" Facebook post about the king and his dog, lawyer Pawinee Chumsri told AFP.

Thai assembly approves new charter, paves way for referendum

Thailand's army-dominated national assembly approved amendments to the country's draft constitution at a third reading on June 18, paving the way for a referendum on the newly drafted charter next year. 

Among the proposals in the charter is a clause that allows for an unelected prime minister and for the upper house Senate to be largely appointed. 

Thai army chief named prime minister

Thailand's junta-picked national assembly on Thursday chose coup leader General Prayut Chan-O-Cha as prime minister in a one-horse race that entrenched the military's hold on power.
      
Nobody in the rubber-stamp legislature opposed the selection of the army chief, who ousted an elected government in a bloodless takeover on May 22.