Man faces jail for doubts over elephant battle tale

An 85-year-old Thai social critic faces up to 15 years in prison for offending the monarchy after questioning whether a duel on elephant-back, fought more than 400 years ago by a Thai king against a Burmese adversary, ever took place.

Police escorted Sulak Sivaraksa to a Bangkok military court yesterday where he was officially charged with insulting the monarchy.

The case stems from remarks Sulak made in 2014 when he doubted whether King Naraesuan had really won the Battle of Nong Sarai in 1593.