Anti-government protesters get ready to leave their main encampment after the coup was declared in Bangkok May 22, 2014. Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha took control of the government in the coup on Thursday saying the army had to restore
Anti-government protesters get ready to leave their main encampment after the coup was declared in Bangkok May 22, 2014. Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha took control of the government in the coup on Thursday saying the army had to restore order and push through reforms, two days after he declared martial law. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

New Zealand has been asked by Thailand's military government to confirm the status of a 23-year-old Thai charged with lese majeste, on his claim that he has been granted asylum in that country. Sek Wannamethee, spokesman of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that he summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok and sought clarification about Ekapop Luara's claim that he and his partner got political asylum in New Zealand.

Thailand imposes harsh punishment on the critics of monarchy. Any insult to the monarchy is punishable with 15 years of prison term under Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code. The concerned laws are collectively known as lese majeste. Ekapop, was charged with insulting the Thai monarchy while speaking at a Redshirt rally in 2013. He fled Thailand shortly after the military seized power from the elected government on May 22 2014, reported Thaivisa.

Facebook Post

In Dec 2014, Ekapop reportedly made a Facebook post in which he claimed that he and his girlfriend have been granted asylum in New Zealand. He also posted a photo of his New Zealand passport and disclosed that he had been hiding in Cambodia and Philippines before moving to New Zealand. The foreign ministry spokesman alleged that Ekapop was using his status granted by the New Zealand government to indulge in political activities inimical to the national security of Thailand, at a time it is moving forward with a national reconciliation.

Ridiculed Junta

The spokesman also took exception to the fact that ever since Ekapop announced his asylum status in New Zealand, he has been criticising Thailand's military junta and mocking the efforts to extradite him and other lese majeste suspects. According to Sek, the New Zealand Charge d'Affaires promised to get back after taking information from its immigration agency whether Ekapop has been granted political asylum, reported Khasoda English News. "This matter is not a good thing for Thai -- New Zealand relations," Sek said and added that New Zealand has been urged to consider appropriate measures to put an end to Ekapop's activities, which are hurting Thai laws.

The strong reaction of Thailand is understandable as junta leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has stepped up the prosecution of lese majeste suspects. The PM, regarded as a hardline royalist, has even given powers to militray courts to try lese majeste cases where no provision for appeal exists.