Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is facing charges of insulting the monarchy, with a complaint lodged by the royalist military who ousted his sister’s government. The charges stem from an interview Thaksin gave to foreign media in 2015, along with violating a computer crime law. Thaksin has stated that he will meet with prosecutors on Jun 18 and is ready to fight the case, expressing confidence that the charges are baseless.
Despite the accusations, Thaksin remains defiant and maintains his innocence, while also emphasizing his loyalty to the crown despite criticism being prohibited by Thailand’s lese-majeste law. His case is one of the most high-profile instances among the more than 270 prosecutions under the law in recent years, with each perceived insult against the royal family carrying a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Thaksin’s political career has been marked by repeated bouts of turmoil, with three of his governments being removed through coups or court actions.
Thaksin founded the populist Pheu Thai party, which has been successful in elections since 2001, winning all but one. Despite his conviction for abuse of power and conflicts of interest, which resulted in an eight-year prison sentence later commuted to one year, Thaksin remains a key figure in Thai politics. He returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile and has continued to be involved in the political landscape. Thaksin was released on parole in February after serving only six months of his sentence.
The current government is led by Pheu Thai, with Thaksin’s business ally Srettha Thavisin serving as prime minister and his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, holding a prominent position within the party. Thaksin’s influence can still be felt in Thai politics, despite the legal challenges he faces, as his family and allies continue to hold key positions in the government. The outcome of Thaksin’s legal battles and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape in Thailand will have lasting implications for the country’s political future.
