The charges stem from remarks made during a 2015 interview while Thaksin was in self-exile. These allegations come under Thailand's strict lese-majeste law, which prohibits criticism of the royal family and carries severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison for each offense.
Thaksin, 74, has denied any wrongdoing and affirmed his loyalty to the crown. His lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, stated that they have prepared a robust defense and will seek bail, questioning the authenticity of the video recording the alleged insult. Thaksin was absent from the hearing due to a Covid-19 infection.
The lese-majeste charge against Thaksin is part of broader legal challenges, including violations of a computer crime law. Thaksin's political influence remains substantial; his family’s political party, Pheu Thai, currently leads the government with his ally Srettha Thavisin as Prime Minister and his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the party chief.
Thaksin’s political journey has been tumultuous, marked by multiple coups and court rulings against his family’s governments. Despite his conviction for abuse of power and conflicts of interest, which resulted in an eight-year prison sentence, he was released on parole after six months. His brief detention in a hospital has fueled speculation about possible deals with his long-time rivals in the conservative establishment and military, though his allies deny such agreements.
The indictment follows recent sentences for an opposition lawmaker and an activist musician under similar charges, indicating a stringent application of the lese-majeste law. The Move Forward Party, the largest in parliament and an advocate for amending this law, faces potential dissolution and life bans for its leaders, further complicating Thailand’s political landscape.
Observers expect Thaksin to continue exerting significant influence behind the scenes, potentially leading to renewed confrontations with established political rivals. Despite his declaration of political retirement, his ongoing involvement in Thai politics appears inevitable.
