Military prosecutors yesterday dropped lese majeste charges against 85-year-old historian and social critic Sulak Sivaraksa who questioned whether a Thai king had actually defeated a Burmese adversary in combat on elephant-back more than 400 years ago.
Mr Sulak was charged in October under the lese majeste law that protects the monarchy from libel and defamation.
The Bangkok Military Court had agreed to hear views from historians and experts before it decided to drop the charges.
Mr Sulak said he welcomed the decision by the court to end the proceedings against him.
"The case was dropped because there is no evidence," Mr Sulak said to the media and his supporters who turned up to give him moral support.
Mr Sulak was charged by police for making comments during a history discussion at Thammasat University in Bangkok in 2014. In the discussion, Mr Sulak cast doubt on whether the elephant battle between King Naresuan of Ayutthaya and a Burmese prince in the 16th century actually happened.
The official history and content in textbooks read by students across the country says that King Naresuan of Ayutthaya and a Burmese prince fought on Jan 18, 1592.
King Naresuan has been hailed as a national hero. The military also accords this king regard with Jan 18 celebrated as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day.
"I stand by the facts, I stand by the truth. I don't stand by falsehoods," Mr Sulak said.
"Everything is clear and they will instruct the police station not to pursue me any further.
"I have been asked to withhold my comments and keep my mouth shut. But I would have died if I remained silent and kept my mouth shut and stopped writing. I insist that I will stand by the truth, even if expressing my ideas means I need to be put in prison.
"Every life has value and everyone has a right and freedom to express one's view. Our country must have freedom and we must fight against tyranny even though we could be put in jail," he said.
While the lese majeste law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, provides protection for living members of the royal family, the police charged Mr Sulak for offending King Naresuan, who reigned more than 400 years ago.
The lese majeste law does not extend its legality to protect historical monarchs.
