petition for Chotisak

In Thai cinemas, the royal anthem is played before every film. While the anthem is played, it is customary for the audience to stand, as a mark of respect for the King.

Every time I've been to the cinema here, I've always stood up when the royal anthem is played, and I've never noticed anyone not standing up. However, on 20th September last year, Chotisak Oonsoong remained seated during the anthem, and now a member of the audience has accused him of lese majeste! The police have, incredibly, accepted the case, and Chotisak faces up to fifteen years in jail if he is convicted!

Surely standing up for the anthem is a courtesy, not a legal requirement? An online petition (petitiononline.com/Chotisak) has been launched to protest against this vindictive misuse of the law.