Printer in Thailand refuses to publish New York Times over story on king’s health

The New York Times said on Tuesday that its printer had refused to print the local edition of the international newspaper because it featured a front page article on the health of the ailing king.

The condition of 87-year-old King Bhumibol – the world’s longest serving monarch – is a hugely controversial topic in Thailand.

The monarchy is shielded by one of the world’s toughest lese majeste laws and prosecutions have increased dramatically since the military took over last year in a coup.

“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 to print,” the newspaper said in a letter to subscribers in the kingdom.

“This decision was made solely by the printer and is not endorsed by the International New York Times,” the paper added.

Local and international media have to routinely self-censor when reporting on the monarchy for fear of falling foul of the broadly worded law, which carries up to 15 years in jail for each count of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent.

The New York Times article, which was on the front page in its Asia edition, looked into the increasingly frail health of Bhumibol and anxieties inside Thailand over his chosen successor, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who does not enjoy his father’s widespread popularity.