Man faces jail for insulting Thai king's dog

A man has been charged after he allegedly insulted the Thai King's favourite dog online. It is the first time someone has been charged with insulting a royal pet.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (right) talks to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (left) as a King's favourite dog sits in middle. Source: AAP

A Thai man is been charged with insulting the king of Thailand's favourite dog, Tongdaeng.

The New York Times reported the man, Thanakorn Siripaiboon, was charged with making a sarcastic internet post about King Bhumibol Adulyadej's dog.

He faces up to 37 years in jail under Thailand's strict lèse-majesté, or royal insult, laws which make it illegal to defame any member of the royal family.

The Times reported this is the first time the laws have been applied to a royal household pet.

The accused’s lawyer, Anon Numpa, told the Times the charge was "nonsense".

He said the authorities were yet to set a timeframe for his client's indictment hearing.