( CNN ) -- A web editor in Thailand has been convicted of hosting posts on a website critical of the country 's revered monarchy . Chiranuch Premchaiporn was found guilty for allowing content prohibited under Thailand 's controversial `` lese-majeste '' law to stay on Prachatai , an independent online news site , for 20 days before it was deleted . `` As a web master you can not deny your role of policing the content , '' Judge Kampol Rungrat told her at the trial in Bangkok Wednesday . She was fined 20,000 baht ( US $ 628 ) and given an eight-month prison sentence -- suspended for a year pending her good behavior . The court cut the original one-year sentence because of her `` useful '' testimony to the court . Chiranuch had faced 10 charges under the 2007 Computer Crime Act -- which includes lese-majeste offenses -- for statements posted by others on Prachatai between April and November 2008 . She could have faced 20 years in jail . `` The verdict is acceptable but I can not say I 'm totally satisfied as I 'm still being convicted , '' she told CNN by phone after the verdict . She said she would consult with lawyers before deciding whether to appeal . Meanwhile , a petition signed by 27,000 people proposing a reform of the strict lese-majeste law was this week handed to the Thai parliament . According to The Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Section 112 of the Criminal Code , the petition aims to sponsor a bill to prevent abuse of the current law . Panel calls for overhaul of royal law . International rights groups such as Human Rights Watch believe the law criminalizes the expression of peaceful opinions . `` Thailand 's lese-majeste laws are being overused and abused , '' said John Sifton , Asia advocacy director at HRW . `` The government 's assault on internet service providers sends a chilling message to webmasters and internet companies that they either censor other people 's content or face severe penalties . '' Earlier this month , a 61-year-old man serving a 20-year sentence for lese-majeste and computer offenses died in a prison hospital in Bangkok . Ampon Tangnoppakul , also known as Uncle SMS , was jailed last November for sending text messages with offensive content , the Bangkok Post reported . His death provoked outrage among many in Thailand . According to the Post , hundreds of protesters from the red-shirt movement -- generally loyal to ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- placed funeral wreaths , red roses and lilies at the hospital . At the city 's criminal court , they tied black ribbons on fences to protest against his jail term . Various banners condemning lese-majeste , or Section 112 of the Criminal Code , were also flown . CNN 's Licia Yee and Kocha Olarn contributed to this report .
Chiranuch Premchaiporn found guilty for allowing comments deemed insulting to Thai monarchy . Court cut the original one-year sentence because of her `` useful '' testimony to the court . Thailand 's `` lese-majeste '' law carries strict penalties for being critical of royal family . Rights groups believe the law prevents peaceful freedom of expression .