Thanapol Eawsakul, editor and publisher of Fah Diew Kan (Same Sky) magazine, was charged by police at Samranrat Police Station.

He said the accusations were politically motivated.

His accusers were the same group that had accused Khom Chad Luek daily and anti-Thaksin activist Sondhi Limthongkul of similar charges, he said.

Surachai Trong-ngam, a human rights lawyer, agreed with Thanapol that the accusation was probably tied to the current political tussle.

"It was published and has been on the news-stands for months. But nobody [when it was first published] objected to it or accused it of lese majeste," he said.

The subject matter had become quite interesting to readers, said Surachai, who is representing the editor.

"At a time when the country is drawn into a tense situation, the topic has become quite an issue," he said.

Surachai said it was still unclear which part of the publication contained items that were allegedly lese majeste. Thanapol must report to police on Tuesday.

The edition carries a series of debates on the role of the monarchy in Thai politics. The topic has become hot since it was published in the magazine in December.

Police chief Lt-General Kowit Wattana last week banned the magazine after a group of pro-government protesters accused it of lese majeste.

On Friday, Thanapol lodged a petition with the Interior Ministry over the ban saying the confiscation of his magazine was unfair because he had not been given a chance to defend it before a seizure order was made.

Pennapa Hongthong

The Nation