Former Thai PM Thaksin acquitted in royal insult case

BBC:

Former Thai PM Thaksin acquitted in royal insult case


1 day ago
Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok

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Thaksin Shinawatra's lese majeste charge relates to an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper 10 years ago


A Bangkok court has acquitted controversial billionaire and former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was accused of insulting the monarchy.

The charge related to an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper ten years ago. He would have faced up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

Thailand's lese majeste law forbids insulting its monarchy. But critics say it is often used to target activists and political opponents.

The verdict came as Thaksin's daughter, suspended PM Paetongtarn , faces a Constitutional Court decision on whether or not she should be removed from office. These cases pose a threat to the Shinawatra clan, which has been a dominant force in Thai politics for decades.

Friday's verdict has brought some relief to the family and their supporters.

Winyat Charmontree, a lawyer acting for Thaksin, told reporters that after the verdict was read out in court, his client had smiled and thanked his lawyers. He had also said he was now able to work for the country's benefit.

The charge against Thaksin was originally filed under the then-military government in 2016, when he was in exile, and re-activated last year after his return to Thailand.

At first glance the case against him seemed weak.

In the South Korean newspaper interview, the former prime minister said he believed the 2014 military coup which deposed the elected government of his sister Yingluck - just as he had been deposed by a previous coup in 2006 - had been instigated by "some people in the palace" and members of the privy council, the 19-member body which advises the Thai king.

Technically the privy council is not covered by the lese majeste law, which states that it is an offence to defame only the king, queen, heir to the throne or anyone acting as regent.

However, in recent years the law has been invoked to criminalise any action or statement which might reflect negatively on the monarchy as an institution.

In the past people have been prosecuted for making unfavourable comments about the late King Bhumibol's dog and about a Thai king from the 16th Century.

More recently, a young woman was sentenced to five years in prison for placing a banner criticising the budget to help those affected by Covid close to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn.

The interpretation of the law has become so broad that human rights groups view it as a political tool, which can be used to intimidate and silence those who challenge the status quo.

Many believed this was what was happening to Thaksin.

However, the judges chose to interpret the wording of the law literally, and said that as the defendant had not named names, he should be acquitted.