Thaksin Shinawatra Faces Lese Majeste Verdict in Bangkok Court
In a high-stakes legal battle, a court in Bangkok is set to deliver a ruling on a case of lese majeste involving the controversial billionaire and former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
If convicted, Thaksin could potentially face up to 15 years behind bars. The charge stems from an interview he granted to a South Korean newspaper a decade ago.
Thailand’s lese majeste law prohibits any form of defamation against its monarchy. However, critics argue that the law is frequently manipulated to target activists and political opponents.
The verdict in Thaksin’s case comes at a time when his daughter, the suspended PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is also entangled in a legal battle that could lead to her removal from office. These legal proceedings mark a significant setback for the influential Shinawatra family, which has wielded power in Thai politics for many years.
Originally filed by the military government in 2016 when Thaksin was in exile, his charge was re-activated upon his return to Thailand last year.
Despite initial appearances, the case against Thaksin raises complex legal questions. In the contentious interview with the South Korean newspaper, the former prime minister insinuated that the 2014 military coup had been orchestrated by figures within the palace and the Thai king’s privy council.
While the lese majeste law explicitly protects only certain royal figures, its broad interpretation in recent years has criminalized any speech or action that could cast a negative light on the monarchy as an institution.
Human rights advocates view the law as a political tool used to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices, a dynamic many believe is at play in Thaksin’s case.
Thaksin’s fate hangs in the balance as the court delivers its verdict, following his dramatic return from exile two years ago. Speculation suggests a potential grand bargain struck between Thaksin and his adversaries to maintain political influence.
However, Thaksin’s continued involvement in politics through his daughter’s leadership has raised concerns about a perceived “dual leadership” within the Shinawatra family. Paetongtarn’s suspension from office amid a leaked phone conversation has added further complexity to the situation.
As Thaksin navigates the legal challenges ahead, the future of both him and his daughter remains uncertain, contingent on the decisions of Thailand’s traditional power players aligned with the palace and military.
While the possibility of Thaksin evading immediate imprisonment on bail exists, his ongoing legal battles and the potential consequences for his party in an early election loom large. The outcome of these legal and political maneuvers could reshape the landscape of Thai politics. – BBC
