A year ago, Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin returned from exile – now he has been charged with lèse majesté. The 74-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been charged with defamation of the monarchy. Thaksin reported to the public prosecutor’s office this morning, a spokesman for the authority said at a press conference. The indictment process has thus been concluded.
Shortly afterwards, the 74-year-old was released on bail. The responsible criminal court announced that Thaksin had posted bail of 500,000 baht (12,000 euros). He is now free, but is not allowed to leave the country without permission.
High penalties on Lèse majesté
The court cited the defendant’s age, his permanent residence in Thailand and the lack of an objection from the public prosecutor as reasons for granting bail. Thaksin’s lawyer Winyat Chatmontree said his client was prepared to face trial. Thailand punishes lèse majesté like no other country: violations can result in three to 15 years in prison.
Thaksin was in power from 2001 to 2006. He was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. Since 2008 he has been in self-imposed exile in places including Dubai and returned to Thailand in August last year to begin an eight-year prison sentence for corruption. He was immediately transferred to hospital. About a week later, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to one year. In February, Thaksin was released on parole.
A warning from his powerful enemies
After Thaksin’s return, the public prosecutor’s office again investigated for lèse majesté. He is said to have made such comments to journalists in the South Korean capital Seoul in 2015. However, the investigation could only continue after the allegations were presented to him personally in hospital in January. Thaksin denied them.
Thaksin is considered the unofficial force behind the government led by his Pheu Thai party. He travels around the country, makes public appearances and comments on the political situation. Observers interpreted the prosecution of the long-standing lèse majesté case as a warning from his powerful enemies to limit his political activities.