US citizen sent to jail for insulting Thai monarchy

US citizen was given 2.5 years in prison on Thursday for insulting the Thai monarchy, the latest in a series of draconian sentences handed down for lese-majeste and one that could cause friction with the United States.

Thai-born Lerpong Wichaikhammat, 55, had pleaded guilty in October to using the Internet to disseminate information that insulted the monarchy, charges stemming from material posted on his blog in the United States, where he has citizenship. (Reuters)