The King Never Smiles

Paul M Handley's unauthorised biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, The King Never Smiles, is unique in that it does not subscribe to the conventional hagiographic view of Bhumibol's reign. The book cannot be sold in Thailand, due to the country's lèse-majesté law, which prohibits any criticism of the King, the Queen, or the Crown Prince.

[Lèse-majesté is broadly interpreted, strictly enforced, and harshly punished in Thailand. Bail is denied for lèse-majesté suspects, trials are held in camera, and the maximum sentence is a jail term of fifteen years. Material subject to a lèse-majesté investigation cannot be quoted or published for legal reasons.]