Thai Printers Refuse to Publish New York Times Edition over Article about King

King Bhumibol celebrating his 84th birthday in 2011. In
April, a Thai man was jailed for 30 years for insulting
the monarchy on Facebook.

THE GUARDIAN: Front-page story in International New York Times on declining health of King Bhumibol, 87, considered too sensitive, with strict lèse-majesté laws in place

The Thai printers of the International New York Times have refused to publish the paper’s Tuesday edition because a front-page article on the country’s ailing king was deemed too sensitive.

Strict lèse-majesté laws in Thailand make it a crime to criticise, defame or insult members of the royal family, and can land people in jail for up to 15 years on each count.

The article, headlined “As Thai king ails, crown’s future unclear”, focused on the declining health of 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej and discussed concerns surrounding the succession.

“Today’s edition of the International New York Times was not printed in Thailand because it includes an article that our locally contracted printer deemed too sensitive too print,” the paper told subscribers in an email.

“This decision was made solely by the printer and is not endorsed by the International New York Times,” it said. » | Oliver Holmes in Bangkok | Tuesday, September 22, 2015