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Coronavirus: Thai king remains in Germany during pandemic, prompting criticism online

  • Insulting the monarchy is a crime but the hashtag #whydoweneedaking? has been trending as Thailand’s coronavirus cases increase
  • The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Thailand has risen to 721 cases, the second most in Southeast Asia after Malaysia

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Thais wearing face masks pass a billboard bearing the portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida. Photo: AFP

The coronavirus pandemic led to a rare surge of online posts in Thailand questioning the monarchy on Sunday and a government minister subsequently warned that inappropriate posts could lead to jail.

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Insulting the monarchy is a crime, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

A Thai-language hashtag that translates to #whydoweneedaking? was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in Thailand after an overseas Thai activist posted about King Maha Vajiralongkorn continuing to travel in Germany during the coronavirus crisis.

King Vajiralongkorn, 67, who was crowned last year, has a second home in Germany. He spends much of his time outside Thailand.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Thailand has risen to 721 cases, the second most in Southeast Asia after Malaysia, according to official data announced by national health authorities. One person has died.

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