Bangkok: Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on Saturday ( Jun 8 ) that he was prepared to face charges of insulting the monarchy, which would have been a setback for a political power whose allies are currently in power.
The nationalist military, which overthrew his sister’s government in 2015, is to blame for the complaint that the important tycoon gave to international media in 2015. In addition to that, one count may involve breaking a computer violence rules.
Thaksin promised to meet with the prosecution on June 18, but he said he was unconcerned with the situation and may fight it.
” It’s nothing. The situation is baseless”, he told reporters.
Thaksin, 74, denies crime and has frequently pledged fealty to the king, condemnation of which is forbidden under Thailand’s questionable der- majeste law, one of the strictest of its kind around the world.
His is the most well-known event among more than 270 legal cases that are liable for a maximum sentence of 15 years for each alleged attack to the royal household.
Since 2001, when three Shinawatra governments were overthrown by dictatorships or court rulings, Thaksin founded the nationalist Pheu Thai party, which his family has now won all but one vote.
The businessman re-entered Thailand in 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed captivity, where he remained a major player throughout series of political upheavals.
He was found guilty of violating the king’s order and having conflicts of interest and abuse of power, and his sentence was eight times. After serving only six months in jail, he was released on parole in February.
Pheu Thai leads the existing government, with Thaksin’s business alliance Srettha Thavisin serving as excellent secretary and his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the group’s key.