Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya yesterday asked the French ambassador to Thailand to deport three people currently seeking asylum in France over lese majeste charges.
During a talk with Thierry Viteau, Gen Paiboon gave the ambassador the names of the three suspects along with details of charges against them, which the minister described as "institute-related security".
The suspects, who escaped arrest warrants to seek exile in France, are Thammasat University's (TU) liberal arts student Saran "Aum Neko" Chuichai, TU's history lecturer Somsak Jeamthirasakul and red-shirt protest co-leader Jaran Ditapichai.
Speaking after the talk, Gen Paiboon said he told Mr Viteau that Thailand is aware of the differences between Thai and French laws but he wants Paris to "understand and differentiate cases involving political security and institute-related security".
The government is more concerned about insults or offences against the monarchy than wrongdoings in connection with political issues, which are, in many instances, related to freedom of expression, the minister said.
Ms Aum, a sharp-tongue activist for equal rights, left Thailand for France after she was charged under Section 112 under the Criminal Code, known as lese majeste, following comments she made about the monarchy on social media after the coup last year.
Mr Somsak faces charges related to posting inappropriate messages about the monarchy on Facebook.
Mr Jaran was charged with lese majeste in relation to the play The Wolf Bride, which was performed at Thammasat University in October 2013, several months before the coup.