Thaksin, 74, denies any wrongdoing and has repeatedly pledged loyalty to the crown (File)
Thailand’s attorney general will indict former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly insulting the monarchy, an official said on Wednesday, in a setback for a political heavyweight whose supporters are currently in government.
The complaint, filed by the royalist military who ousted the government of his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, stemmed from an interview the influential tycoon gave to foreign media in 2015. Other accusations include violating a law against computer crimes.
“The attorney general has decided to indict Thaksin on all charges,” said spokesman Prayuth Bejraguna, adding that he is expected to appear in court on June 18.
Thaksin, 74, denies any wrongdoing and has repeatedly pledged loyalty to the crown, criticisms that are prohibited by Thailand’s lese majeste law, one of the strictest in the world.
Thaksin would be the most high-profile case among more than 270 prosecutions in recent years under the controversial law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for each perceived insult to the royal family.
Thaksin did not attend Wednesday’s hearing as he was infected with COVID-19.
His lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, said a comprehensive defense had been prepared and that Thaksin would apply for bail. He questioned the authenticity of the video interview in which the alleged insult was made.
“Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to prove his innocence in the judicial system,” Winyat said at a press conference.
Central figure
Thaksin founded the populist Pheu Thai party. His family’s parties have won all but one election since 2001, with three Shinawatra governments overthrown by coups d’état or court rulings.
The billionaire returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile, during which he remained a central figure during repeated bouts of political upheaval.
He was convicted of abuse of power and conflicts of interest and sentenced to eight years in prison, later commuted to one year by the king. He was released on parole in February after just six months in detention.
Pheu Thai leads the current government, with Thaksin’s business ally Srettha Thavisin as prime minister and daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra as party chief.
The indictment was announced days after an opposition lawmaker and an activist musician were sentenced to prison for alleged royal insults. The palace does not normally comment on the law.
Popular opposition party Move Forward has found itself in hot water over its campaign to change the law, with the Constitutional Court set to decide whether to dissolve the party, which would see bans on its leadership.
A separate complaint with another body seeks a lifetime ban on 44 current and former Move Forward lawmakers.
Thaksin’s peaceful return and relatively short detention in hospital fueled speculation that he had struck a deal with his rivals in the conservative establishment and military, whom he blamed for trying to suffocate Shinawatra’s governments. His allies denied any such pact.
Thaksin has been active since his release, meeting with supporters and politicians while also stating that he has retired from politics. Commentators have predicted that he will exert significant political influence behind the scenes, raising the possibility of another confrontation with the system.
Political analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich said the charge may be an attempt by authorities to show balance in light of cases of real insults against activists and Move Forward, but that recent developments indicated Thaksin “will still be able to resist this”.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University said the accusation could be a warning to Thaksin to stay in line.
“Now his opponents see this as ‘Thaksin’s back’, he is fully back in Thai politics and has perhaps overstepped the mark,” he said. “If he doesn’t shut up and stop maneuvering and politicking, if they continue to see him as a growing and intensifying threat, then the charges will go through the judicial system.”
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