Thailand jails brothers of former princess

The purge of Srirasmi Suwadee's relatives came after the sudden dismissal of her uncle.

Srirasmi Suwadee, formerly known as Princess Srirasmi, is divorced from Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, and relinquished her royal title last December.

Her downfall and the imprisonment of many of her relatives come at a time of heightened anxiety over the health of Thailand’s revered, but ailing, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 87, and nervousness about what a royal succession might bring.

The brothers, Natthapol, Narong and Sitthisak Suwadee, were given 11 years in prison each, cut to 5-1/2 years because they confessed to the crimes of theft, insult to the monarchy and illegal detention, a judge said while delivering the sentence.

“They mentioned ‘the highest level’ in order to force (a victim) to hand over money, which defamed the monarchy and caused damage,” the judge said, using a Thai term that refers to the monarchy.

Their parents, Apiruj and Wanthanee Suwadee, were jailed last week for 2-1/2 years for defaming the monarchy following investigations into several family members who were accused of abusing their royal connection and of corruption.

A purge of some of Srirasmi’s relatives began last year after the sudden dismissal of her uncle, one of Thailand’s most senior police officers.

* Reuters