Thai authorities are investigating U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies for allegedly defaming the country's king, or "lèse-majesté" as the major offense is known in the country.
"Lèse-majesté" is a serious crime in Thailand.
Those convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent can face up to 15 years in jail for each offense.
The allegations stem from a speech Davies made in November at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand. The speech touched on a variety of topics, and Davies actually praised the country's aging king during the event.
His allegedly offensive remarks were directed at the lèse-majesté law itself, and he expressed concerns about the jail sentences for those convicted of the crime.
During his speech, Davies said the U.S. was concerned about the "lengthy and unprecedented prison sentences handed down by military courts" in lèse-majesté cases, and said the U.S. felt no one should be jailed for peacefully expressing their views, according to BBC.
Nationalist protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to denounce Davies on Nov. 28 in the wake of the remarks.
Even if Davies was convicted of the offense, his diplomatic immunity protects him from arrest. However, the country could retract his diplomatic credentials.
Davies has only been the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand since October, and Mashable has reached out to the embassy for comment on the allegations.
Just last weekend, Davies was celebrating Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 88th birthday at his palace in Bangkok.
I just visited the Palace to pay respects to the King on his 88th birthday. Americans celebrate his good works, wisdom & kind heart today.— Glyn T. Davies (@GlynTDavies) December 5, 2015
"It is disappointing that the ambassador took a position that has supported a group that has often broken the law and disrespected judicial processes," government spokesman Maj Gen Werachon Sukondhapatipak told the BBC.