Writer seized over insults in Thailand

Thai authorities said yesterday that they had arrested an American on charges he insulted the country's monarchy, in part by posting a link on his blog four years ago to a banned book about the South-east Asian nation's ailing king.

Paul Handley is also suspected of translating into Thai portions of The King Never Smiles – an unauthorised biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej – and posting them online along with articles he wrote that allegedly defame the royal family, said Tharit Pengdith, who heads Thailand's Department of Special Investigation.