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The proposed law would also punish those who wrongly accuse or attempt to frame up others of such a wrongdoing.

The Democrats' move followed an increase in content on the Internet deemed defamatory or in contempt of the monarchy.

The law's proponents explained that at present there is no law that deals with offenders of lese majeste through modern electronic means, such as on Internet websites and in computer systems.

Under the proposed law, anyone putting inaccurate content about the monarchy on the Internet or a computer system faces a jail term of between three to 20 years or a fine ranging from Bt200,000 to Bt800,000.

Those uploading defamatory or contemptuous content about the monarchy face an imprisonment of five to 20 years or a fine of between Bt300,000 to Bt800,000.

The law will also punish anyone falsely accusing others of such wrongdoings, with imprisonment of three to 20 years and a fine ranging from Bt200,000 to Bt800,000.

The law also seeks to punish people hiring others to do the job for them, the Internet service provider or computer system administrator who fails to cooperate, as well as repeat offenders.

Democrat MP Piraphan Saliratviphak, the main proponent of the new legislation, earlier proposed amendments to the Penal Code and the Computer Act provisions regarding lese majeste.