Thailand set to indict former PM Thaksin over royal insult
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[May 29, 2024]
By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat
BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's attorney-general will indict former Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly insulting the monarchy, an
official said on Wednesday, in a setback to a political heavyweight
whose loyalists are currently in government.
The complaint, lodged by the royalist military that ousted the
government of his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, had stemmed from an
interview the influential tycoon gave to foreign media in 2015. Other
charges include violating a computer crime law.
"The attorney-general has decided to indict Thaksin on all charges,"
spokesperson Prayuth Bejraguna said, adding he must appear in court on
June 18.
Thaksin, 74, denies wrongdoing and has repeatedly pledged loyalty to the
crown, criticism of which is forbidden under Thailand's lese-majeste
law, one of the world's strictest of its kind.
Thaksin would be the highest-profile case among more than 270
prosecutions in recent years under the controversial law, which carries
a maximum jail term of 15 years for each perceived insult of the royal
family.
Thaksin did not appear at Wednesday's hearing, having been infected with
COVID-19.
His lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, said a comprehensive defence had been
prepared and Thaksin would seek bail. He questioned the authenticity of
the video of the interview in which the alleged insult was made.
"Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to prove his innocence in the justice
system," Winyat told a press conference.
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CENTRAL FIGURE
Thaksin founded the populist Pheu Thai party. His family's parties have
won all but one election since 2001, with three Shinawatra governments
toppled by coups or court rulings.
The billionaire returned to Thailand in 2023 from 15 years of
self-imposed exile, during which he remained a central figure throughout
repeated bouts of political upheaval.
He was convicted of abuse of power and conflicts of interest and
sentenced to eight years in prison, later commuted to one year by the
king. He was released on parole in February after just six months in
detention.
Pheu Thai leads the current government, with Thaksin's business ally
Srettha Thavisin the prime minister and daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra
the party chief.
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![](../images/052924PIX/news_a64.jpg)
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer Winyat
Chartmontri speaks to the press after Thailand's attorney general
indictment over Thaksin Shinawatra’s royal insult case from his
interview nine years ago, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 29, 2024.
REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2024/May/29/images/ads/current/aeps_lda_013124.png)
The indictment was announced days after an opposition lawmaker and
an activist musician were given jail terms for alleged royal
insults. The palace typically does not comment on the law.
The popular opposition Move Forward Party has found itself in hot
water over its campaign to amend the law, with the Constitutional
Court due to decide whether to dissolve the party, which would see
bans for its leadership.
A separate complaint with another body is seeking life bans for 44
current and former Move Forward legislators.
Thaksin's smooth return and relatively short time in detention,
spent in hospital, has fueled speculation he struck a deal with his
rivals in the conservative establishment and military, which he has
blamed for trying to stifle Shinawatra governments. His allies have
denied any such pact.
Thaksin has been active since his release, meeting supporters and
politicians, while saying he has retired from politics. Commentators
have anticipated he will wield significant political influence from
behind the scenes, raising the possibility of another confrontation
with the establishment.
Political analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich said the indictment could be
an attempt by authorities to show balance, in light of royal insults
cases against activists and Move Forward, but that recent
developments indicated Thaksin "will still be able to weather this".
Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University said the
indictment could be a warning to Thaksin to stay in line.
"Now his adversaries see this as 'Thaksin's back', he's fully back
in Thai politics, and maybe he crossed the line," he said. "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."
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat
Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty and Timothy Heritage)
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