Thailand lese majeste: Woman charged over single word used on Facebook

Patnaree Chakij could face a lengthy jail sentence

A woman has been charged in Thailand over a single word used in response to a Facebook posting critical of the royal family.

Thai police dropped the investigation into Patnaree Chankij after an international outcry earlier this year.

But the country's attorney general decided to press charges against her under Thailand's lese majeste laws.

The 40-year-old had responded to a message critical of the monarchy with "ja" ("yeah" or "I see" in Thai).

Read more on Patnaree Chankij's case

Thailand's lese majeste laws explained

The ways to get arrested for lese-majeste in Thailand

Patnaree Chankij is the mother of a prominent student activist in Thailand, Sirawith Seritwat.

Thailand is holding a referendum next week on whether to accept a new constitution.

Sirawith Seritwat has been among those calling for a rejection of the new document.