Thai Court Set to Deliver Verdict in Thaksin Defamation Case
A Thai court is poised to announce its verdict on Friday, March 15, 2024, in a defamation case against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister whose influence continues to resonate within the country’s political landscape. Accused of insulting the Thai monarchy, Thaksin faces a potential maximum sentence of 15 years. This case marks a significant moment, as he is the most prominent figure to be charged under one of the world’s strictest royal defamation laws, a legal framework often criticized for stifling dissent.
The charges against Thaksin, aged 76, are seen by many as politically motivated. They contribute to a longstanding power struggle between him and Thailand’s military and royalist establishments. On Friday morning, dozens of Thaksin’s supporters gathered outside the Criminal Court in Bangkok, demonstrating their backing for the former leader.
Thaksin, a former telecom billionaire, first rose to prominence through his populist policies, securing the prime minister’s office in 2001. His tenure was abruptly ended by a military coup in 2006, which forced him into exile. Despite his absence, political parties associated with Thaksin have consistently emerged as frontrunners in national elections, with his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, winning the premiership in 2011 before also facing a coup in 2014.
The defamation case stems from an interview Thaksin gave to the South Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo, in which he suggested that a “palace circle” was involved in the coup that removed his sister from power. At the time of the interview, Thaksin was residing in Dubai, making it difficult for Thai authorities to act on the charges. Despite being out of the country, Thaksin remained a significant player in Thai politics, with his political allies often winning the majority of votes in elections until the 2023 election, when the progressive Move Forward Party broke that streak.
Thaksin’s unexpected return to Thailand in 2023 was widely interpreted as part of a political compromise with the establishment to prevent the Move Forward Party from gaining power. Following his return, his party, Pheu Thai, formed the new government. Notably, the king pardoned Thaksin from previous corruption and abuse of power convictions, allowing him to avoid imprisonment despite being sentenced to eight years.
In June 2023, Thaksin was indicted on the defamation charges. Analysts interpreted this move as a demonstration of the establishment’s continued influence over him. In addition to the defamation case, Thaksin has faced separate charges under the Computer Crime Act due to the online dissemination of his interview.
The former prime minister’s family also faces legal challenges. His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was recently suspended as a candidate for prime minister by a court ruling, raising questions about her future in politics. Furthermore, Thaksin himself has been scrutinized for receiving preferential treatment during his six-month detention in a luxury hospital suite, which critics argue allowed him to evade the consequences of his legal troubles.
As the verdict approaches, the implications of this case could significantly affect Thailand’s political landscape and its ongoing power dynamics.
