Ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra acquitted of royal defamation, first of 3 rulings vs family
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted on August 22 of royal defamation charges, clearing him of one of several legal threats facing his political dynasty, which has been in control of Thai politics for more than two decades.
The 76-year-old had faced up to 15 years in prison under Thailand’s lese-majeste law, which criminalises criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and members of the royal family. After a two-month trial, the Criminal Court in Bangkok ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict him.
“The court dismissed the charges against Thaksin, ruling that the evidence presented was insufficient,” his lawyer Winyat Chatmontree told reporters.
The case stemmed from remarks Thaksin made to South Korean media in 2015 relating to the military coup that ousted his sister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Supporters gathered outside the court welcomed the ruling but voiced caution.
“The court has done its job properly, but I don’t think we can relax yet,” said 66-year-old food vendor Kamol Orahanta. “I believe there are still some haters who will try to topple him by other means.”
Another supporter, 65-year-old Red Shirt member Eakkarin Ratanawanit, said the decision proves the Shinawatras are here to stay, at least until 2027.
“Some may see this as a decline for the prime minister and the Pheu Thai Party due to all the various crises that have occurred lately. But for me, they will overcome these crises, and [the PM] will serve the full term until 2027.”
Analysts say Thaksin remains a key influence regardless of his daughter’s fate.
“I still believe that Thaksin Shinawatra will remain active in Thai politics, even if his daughter is removed,” political analyst Yuttaporn Issarachai told AFP. “Whoever becomes prime minister, the real player behind the scenes is always going to be Thaksin.”
Thaksin was twice elected prime minister before being ousted in a 2006 coup. He spent 15 years in self-imposed exile before returning to Thailand in August 2023, the same day his Pheu Thai Party formed a coalition government with former conservative rivals.
On his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power, but was transferred to a police hospital due to health concerns. Days later, the king reduced his sentence to one year, and he was released in February 2024 under an early release programme for elderly prisoners.
His release has sparked another legal case, with a ruling due on September 9. The case questions whether Thaksin was eligible for parole since he never spent time in a prison cell.
Prosecutions under section 112 of the criminal code have risen sharply since mass protests in 2020. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 280 people have been charged with lese-majeste in the last five years.
Rights groups say the law is used broadly to suppress dissent and restrict open debate.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
