Across Asia: Thailand

Charges over speculation

Thai police are considering criminal charges against four people for allegedly spreading rumors about the health of the country's monarch that sent the local stock market plunging, an official said yesterday. The Stock Exchange of Thailand tumbled sharply on October 14 and October15 amid rumors that the health of 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej was declining. Since then, politicians and media have sharply criticized the alleged rumor-mongers, though there has been no consensus on whether they were intending to hurt the monarchy or manipulate stock prices.