Thaksin Shinawatra, a former Prime Minister of Thailand, has been pronounced not guilty of royal defamation charges, which could have led to a prison term of up to 15 years. After his court appearance in Bangkok on August 22, Thaksin left the courtroom smiling and responded to reporters with a brief statement of "Dismissal," confirming his acquittal along with his lawyer, who stated that the evidence was inadequate for a conviction.
The law concerning lese majeste, or the defamation of the monarchy, is strictly enforced in Thailand and has been increasingly used to silence dissent since early 2020, with over 270 individuals, predominantly student activists, being charged. Thaksin's initial charges stemmed from comments made during an interview in South Korea in 2015, but the court previously stalled action as he was in exile. His lawyer articulated that the prosecution's arguments were weak and that the complaint against Thaksin appeared politically motivated, resulting in the court's decision to dismiss the case.
Thaksin has faced numerous judicial challenges throughout his political career, especially following his ouster in 2006, which led to his self-imposed exile. His attempts to return to Thailand have often been punctuated by legal troubles; despite being sentenced to eight years in prison upon his return in 2023 for corruption and abuse of power charges, he was quickly transferred to a hospital based on health claims, which raised eyebrows regarding favoritism in his treatment.
Since his return, he has remained in the public eye, making appearances and providing political commentary, which could provoke those who supported his removal. Concurrently, his daughter Paetongtarn is facing scrutiny for alleged ethical violations as Thailand's political landscape remains tumultuous, with historical military coups contributing to the instability. The nation's judicial system has increasingly become a tool for political interventions, having removed several prime ministers and dissolved political parties, particularly those seen as threats to the status quo upheld by royalist chains and military influences.
5 Comments
Bermudez
He’s a symbol of democracy for many. Let him continue to participate in the political debate in Thailand!
Mariposa
It's alarming how the lese majeste law is being used selectively. Thaksin's case shows the judiciary is compromised.
Karamba
The fact that he was acquitted shows the law is being upheld correctly. We should respect the judicial process.
Raphael
It’s about time we stop using the law to attack political opponents. Thaksin's acquittal is a positive sign!
Donatello
Thaksin's trials have always been politically charged, and this acquittal proves he's been unfairly targeted.