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Ampon Tangnoppakul, 61, was convicted of sending four messages last year to an official working for then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. He was charged under the Computer Crimes Act and another law which was designed to protect the monarchy.

Critics say both laws have been increasingly politicised and are curbing free speech in Thailand. Ampon was not in court to hear the sentence delivered because recent floods, which have caused widespread disruption in Thailand, stopped him from travelling from his remand prison.