The case reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the monarchy’s role in politics and the Shinawatra family's legacy, with Thaksin’s influence still felt in his party’s recent political maneuvers and proposals. As contentious issues persist, including Paetongtarn's handling of a border dispute and her suspension by the Constitutional Court, the political landscape remains uncertain for the Shinawatra family’s future in Thai governance.
Former Thai PM Thaksin Found Not Guilty in Monarchy Insult Trial
Former Thai PM Thaksin Found Not Guilty in Monarchy Insult Trial
A Bangkok court has acquitted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of lese majeste charges stemming from a decade-old interview.
In a significant legal turn, Thai billionaire and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has been found not guilty of insulting the monarchy by a Bangkok court, following accusations linked to remarks from an interview with a South Korean newspaper ten years ago. The charges, if upheld, could have resulted in a lengthy imprisonment of up to 15 years. Critics of Thailand’s lese majeste law argue that it is often used selectively to silence political opponents and activists. This verdict comes amid heightened scrutiny regarding the Shinawatra clan’s influence in Thai politics, particularly while Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn, the current PM, faces a constitutional court ruling that could jeopardize her position. The case against Thaksin was initially brought up during a military-led government in 2016 while he was in exile, but was revived upon his recent return to Thailand. The judges ultimately interpreted the law strictly, resulting in his acquittal, suggesting broader implications on the enforcement of Thailand’s lese majeste laws.
