French expat denied return to Thailand due to repeated criticism of Thai monarchy

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One of the longtime French expats in Thailand, Yan Marchal, is refused return to Thailand. He says he is being expelled from Bangkok to Paris, as of tonight, for long-term criticism of the Thai government and the monarchy.

Yan says he could appeal the “eviction”.

“I was advised to fly rather than put myself at legal risk by appealing.”

Yan told Khaosod English that the immigration police claimed he was a “threat to national security” for his critics of the monarchy, will be refused return to Thailand and will be forced to return to Paris.

A year ago, Yan was almost deported from the country for posts he posted on Facebook. Many of Yan’s recent Facebook posts are comments relating to the Thai monarchy and recent protests in Thailand.

During a visit to Thai immigration last November, Yan said he went to immigration to transfer his stamp to a new passport, but was told his visa had been revoked and that ‘he was now on probation.

“He told me I would be kicked out. The reason given was my activity on Facebook. I could see he had a folder with a detailed report on my posts, although he wouldn’t let me read the details.

This is not the first time that his posts have caused problems. In 2019, Yan was visited by the police after a video he shot mocking the National Council for Peace and Order. Yan issued a public apology at the time and the video was deleted.

But now these priors seem to come back to haunt the French citizen.

“I was unable to contact my embassy but I was told that they were aware of the case. I knew it could happen, this is not the first time that I have encountered problems (with Thai immigration). ”

“Immigration officials said I was attacking the king, causing trouble for the king.”

Yan’s lawyer, Natalie Bergman, told Khaosod English this morning that she was going to appeal later today.

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