A Thai magazine editor was jailed for 10 years on Wednesday for insulting the royal family, under the country's draconian lese-majeste law.

The editor of "Voice of the Oppressed", which is a magazine devoted to self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was found guilty of publishing articles in 2010 defaming the King.

A report from the public prosecutors in 2011 said the articles criticized the role of a fictional character meant to represent the King.

Discussions about the role of the monarchy are forbidden in Thailand, and websites accused of defaming the royal family are frequently shut down.

Rights groups say the lese-majeste law is used by Thailand's powerful elite to silence political opponents, including supporters of pro-Thaksin groups.

Convictions under the law carry a maximum jail term of 15 years.