Thailand bans Routledge textbook on security grounds

Thailand has banned the "Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand" on national security grounds, with police authorised to seize and destroy the English-language textbook.

An order signed by National Police Chief Samran Nualma and released Wednesday said the book includes articles that "adversely affect national security and might cause unrest in the country" and affects public order or "the good morals of the people". Anyone convicted of importing or distributing it faces up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or $1,800, or both.

The second edition, published in August, was edited by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Japan-based academic and critic of the Thai monarchy. Pavin said Thursday the ban was linked to chapters on the monarchy and the use of the lese-majeste law.

Pavin said the first edition, released in 2019, was not banned and that the updated edition reflected political changes since youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said Thailand prioritises national security and public order alongside freedom of expression and academic freedom.

Thailand's lese-majeste law provides prison terms of up to 15 years per offence for insulting, defaming or threatening the king or his family.