Thaksin’s ‘royal insult’: A warning to Thai ex-PM?
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is facing legal troubles once again, this time over an alleged insult to the kingdom’s royal family during a 2015 interview. Thaksin is expected to be indicted under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which can lead to lengthy prison sentences for those who criticize the monarchy. Additionally, he is also facing charges for violating the country’s computer crime law.
Thaksin, who fled Thailand in 2008 to avoid a prison term for corruption and tax evasion, returned in 2023 only to be convicted of abuse of power and conflicts of interest. Despite being sentenced to eight years in prison, he was released after just six months due to health reasons and a royal pardon.
The latest charges against Thaksin stem from comments he allegedly made in a 2015 interview, accusing the Privy Council of Thailand of involvement in protests leading up to the 2014 military coup. Due to his current COVID infection, his recent court appearance has been postponed.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand was politically significant, as it aimed to boost support for the populist Pheu Thai Party, which he founded. However, questions have arisen regarding his political ambitions and whether he should maintain a lower profile to avoid further legal trouble.
Analysts believe that the impending indictments serve as a warning to Thaksin to lessen his political activities. Failure to do so could result in further legal challenges that may impact his return to Thai politics. Thaksin’s case is set to become one of the highest-profile under Thailand’s lese majeste law, with the prosecutor stating there is enough evidence for indictment.
Thaksin’s rescheduled court appearance is set for June 18, where he plans to seek bail and prove his innocence. However, rights groups have raised concerns about the denial of bail for political prisoners in similar cases. As the legal battle unfolds, Thaksin’s future in Thai politics remains uncertain.
By: Keith Walker