Former Thai PM Thaksin Indicted for Defaming Monarchy Amid Political Turmoil
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was formally indicted Tuesday on charges of defaming Thailand’s monarchy, adding to the political instability in the country. Thaksin, a significant political figure despite being ousted 18 years ago, turned himself in to prosecutors around 9 a.m., confirmed Prayuth Bejraguna, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General.
A car suspected to be carrying Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court in Bangkok, but he did not appear before reporters, leaving it unclear if he went to the court or the nearby prosecutor's office. Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, stated that Thaksin was prepared to enter the judicial process and had requested bail.
The lese majeste law, under which Thaksin is charged, carries a penalty of three to fifteen years in prison and is one of the harshest in the world, often used to silence government critics. Thaksin, now 74, was deposed in a 2006 military coup, which sparked years of political polarization. His adversaries, primarily royalists, accused him of corruption and disrespecting the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Initially charged with lese majeste in 2016 for comments made to journalists in South Korea, the case was not pursued as Thaksin went into exile in 2008 to avoid other legal judgments he claimed were politically motivated. He returned to Thailand last year and was immediately detained for previous corruption and abuse of power convictions, but served most of his sentence in a hospital on medical grounds and was paroled in February.
Thaksin's return coincided with the Pheu Thai party, which he is associated with, forming a government with its traditional rivals from the conservative establishment. His minimal punishment was perceived as part of a deal to exclude the progressive Move Forward party, which won the most seats in last year’s election, from power.
Despite being a behind-the-scenes figure, Thaksin has remained active in the political landscape, making public appearances and statements. The revived lese majeste case is seen by analysts as a warning from powerful opponents to curb his political involvement.
This indictment is one of several legal challenges destabilizing Thai politics since the Pheu Thai-led government took office, following the Senate’s obstruction of the Move Forward party’s path to power. The Election Commission has asked the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving Move Forward for its campaign to amend the lese majeste law.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Pheu Thai is also under investigation over his appointment of a Cabinet member previously imprisoned for bribery. If implicated, Srettha could lose his position. The Constitutional Court, which is perceived as a protector of the royalist establishment, is reviewing the legality of both Move Forward’s and Srettha’s cases.
The court is also examining the legality of the partially completed Senate election process. The current Senate, appointed by the junta that overthrew a previous Pheu Thai government in 2014, expired last month. A ruling against the election process could extend the tenure of military-appointed senators until a new process is established.
Napon Jatusripitak, a political science researcher, commented that the situation highlights the challenges Pheu Thai faces from forming alliances with its former adversaries and reflects a power imbalance between elected and unelected forces in Thailand. "Thai democracy is once again being held hostage by forces that are unaccountable to public interests," he said.
