Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra Indicted for Insulting Monarchy
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been formally indicted for allegedly insulting the monarchy, an offense under Thailand's lese-majesty law, which is punishable by three to 15 years in prison. The indictment, issued on June 18, 2024, marks the beginning of a significant series of high-profile legal cases in the country.
Thaksin, who was ousted 18 years ago and remains an influential political figure, was granted bail shortly after reporting to prosecutors in Bangkok. A court statement noted reasons for granting bail, including his age, permanent address in Thailand, and the absence of prosecutorial objection. Thaksin’s passport was confiscated, and he cannot leave the country without court permission.
First charged with lese-majesty in 2016 for remarks made in South Korea, Thaksin had been in exile since 2008 to avoid other legal judgments. He returned voluntarily last year, serving most of his sentence in a hospital, and was released on parole in February.
Thaksin's indictment occurs amid political turbulence, with cases involving current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the opposition Move Forward party also before the courts. The outcomes of these cases could deepen Thailand’s political divide and impact the stability of the current government, which Pheu Thai—Thaksin's party—leads in coalition with conservative groups. The Constitutional Court is reviewing related petitions, including the legality of the selection process for a new Senate.