Thailand is set to file a royal insult case against former PM Thaksin

An official stated on Wednesday that Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, will face charges from the attorney general for allegedly disrespecting the monarchy. This is a blow to the powerful political figure whose supporters are currently in power.

The royalist military, which overthrew his sister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government, filed the complaint, which was based on an interview the powerful businessman conducted with international media in 2015. A cyber crime legislation is among the other counts.

Spokesman Prayuth Bejraguna stated, “The attorney general has decided to indict Thaksin on all charges,” and that he needs to show up in court on June 18.

One of the harshest laws in the world, Thailand’s lese-majeste statute forbids criticism of the 74-year-old Thaksin, who has repeatedly vowed fealty to the crown and denied any wrongdoing.

With nearly 270 prosecutions in recent years under the contentious rule that imposes a maximum 15-year prison sentence for any perceived disrespect to the royal family, Thaksin’s case would be the most well-known of them all.

Thaksin, who has COVID-19, did not show up for the hearing on Wednesday.

Winyat Chartmontri, his attorney, stated that Thaksin would request bail and that a thorough defense had been prepared. He questioned the veracity of the interview footage in which the said slur was said.

Winyat said during a press conference, “Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to prove his innocence in the justice system.”

CENTRAL FIGURE

The right-wing Pheu Thai party was created by Thaksin. Since 2001, his family’s parties have won all but one election; three Shinawatra regimes have been overthrown by coups or court decisions.

After a self-imposed 15 years of exile, the millionaire made his way back to Thailand in 2023, where he remained a major figure amid frequent periods of political unrest.

After being found guilty of power abuse and conflict of interest, the king shortened his eight-year prison term to one year. After only six months in jail, he was granted parole in February.

The current government is headed by Pheu Thai, with Srettha Thavisin, a business friend of Thaksin, serving as prime minister and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the party chief, as party leader.

Days after an activist musician and an opposition lawmaker were sentenced to prison for allegedly insulting the royal family, the indictment was made public. Usually, the palace stays silent about the legislation.

Due to its effort to modify the law, the much supported opposition Move Forward Party has found itself in hot water. The Constitutional Court will soon determine whether to disband the party and impose bans on its leaders.
Forty-four current and former Move Forward legislators are seeking life bans in a second lawsuit filed with a different agency.

It has been speculated that Thaksin made a deal with his adversaries in the conservative establishment and military, whom he has accused of attempting to suppress Shinawatra regimes, given his seamless homecoming and the short amount of time he spent in hospital during his arrest. Such a deal has been refuted by his backers.

Since his release, Thaksin has not stopped engaging with politicians and fans, despite his claims to have retired from politics. It is expected by observers that he will have considerable political clout behind the scenes, which could lead to yet another conflict with the establishment.

Based on recent developments, political analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich said Thaksin “will still be able to weather this” and that the indictment could be a move by authorities to show fairness in light of royal insults proceedings against activists and Move Forward.

Chulalongkorn University’s Thitinan Pongsudhirak suggested that Thaksin might take the indictment as a warning to follow the rules.

“Now his adversaries see this as ‘Thaksin’s back’, he’s fully back in Thai politics, and maybe he crossed the line,” he stated. “If he doesn’t shut up and doesn’t stop maneuvering and politicking, if they continue to see him as an enlarging, intensifying threat, then the charges will make their way through the court system.”