In a significant development today, Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed the media, stating that her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, is unconcerned about the lese majeste lawsuit filed against him.

 

This declaration comes amidst heightened political tensions and ongoing legal battles for the former prime minister.

 

Thaksin, who is the de facto head of the Pheu Thai Party, faces allegations from 40 senators accusing him of breaching Thailand’s strict lese majeste laws, which protect the monarchy from defamation and insults.

 

The case was filed last week, but Thaksin did not attend the initial Office of the Attorney-General's (OAG) formal readout citing a COVID-19 infection. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 18. 

 

Paetongtarn quoted her father as saying he is ready to defend himself truthfully in court. She also noted the allegations are politically motivated, originating from a former attorney-general during the junta-led government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, who came to power after the 2014 coup that ousted Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

 

The case traces back to comments Thaksin allegedly made in a 2009 interview in Seoul, wherein he supposedly linked the monarchy to the 2006 coup that ended his premiership. These remarks have now resurfaced as a focal point of the legal action against him.

 

Thaksin, a billionaire and influential political figure, has had a rocky legal history. Convicted in absentia on other charges of power abuse and facing an 8-year jail sentence, he lived in self-exile for 17 years before returning last August. His sentence was subsequently reduced to one year by royal pardon, and he spent time in a private hospital ward instead of prison. He was paroled earlier this year.

 

The lese majeste lawsuits are notoriously complex and lengthy, often taking several years to reach a verdict. If convicted, Thaksin could face between three to fifteen years in prison. The political ramifications of this case are significant, as it continues to highlight the deep divisions within Thai politics.

 

As the court date approaches, all eyes will be on how Thaksin handles yet another legal battle in his tumultuous political career.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-03

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

The lese majeste lawsuits are notoriously complex and lengthy, often taking several years to reach a verdict.

He'll drag it out as long as possible, appeal against any guilty verdict and continue to meddle in politics.

25 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

He'll drag it out as long as possible, appeal against any guilty verdict and continue to meddle in politics.

This isn't a serious attempt to prosecute him, it's a warning, back off or else.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In a significant development today

Significant, really?

Did she ever do anything significant in her life? 

"The case traces back to comments Thaksin allegedly made in a 2009 interview in Seoul"

 

Haven't the courts already ruled crimes committed abroad don't count?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed the media, stating that her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, is unconcerned about the lese majeste lawsuit filed against him.

 

Definitely another lie .

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Paetongtarn quoted her father as saying he is ready to defend himself truthfully in court. She also noted the allegations are politically motivated, originating from a former attorney-general

 

 " Truthfully " ?

 

Oh , that bad old attorney general ... it is all his fault ...

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

This isn't a serious attempt to prosecute him, it's a warning, back off or else.

You could well be right, maybe his continual meddling in politics, talking with Hun Sen, chats with Myanmar generals etc is upsetting some influential people.

Well, everyone knows that ‘Thailand is land of compromise’. 

You will not spend one day in jail I mean the suite in the hospital, TIT

no not worried yet. He got an adjournment with the excuse of covid to give the shyster lawyers working for him more time to cut another deal to keep him from justice

She should be worried. The deal Thaksin made with the coup makers is in trouble. That's what happens when you make a deal with the devil. 

We could lose a Prime Minister and the DeFacto publicity seeker in a few weeks. Hoping  justice prevails. Bring it on! 

Interesting times - watching Thailand as it 'adjusts' to a post-Junta Government with the massively wealthy and influential playing their power games. Add to that an economy that is sinking fast while all around it grows (excluding the other still 'Junta-occupied' Myanmar), and it is indeed an entertaining time.  While those married Expats in the villages and those single one in the 'entertainment' areas dont give a rat's rear, many of us are wondering where this country is headed.  I can see massive changes coming ahead - especially around the reasons for these lese-majeste laws, and I hope it happens peacefully, but it worries me that it might not go that way. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

 

In a significant development today, Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed the media, stating that her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, is unconcerned about the lese majeste lawsuit filed against him.

 

This declaration comes amidst heightened political tensions and ongoing legal battles for the former prime minister.

 

Thaksin, who is the de facto head of the Pheu Thai Party, faces allegations from 40 senators accusing him of breaching Thailand’s strict lese majeste laws, which protect the monarchy from defamation and insults.

 

The case was filed last week, but Thaksin did not attend the initial Office of the Attorney-General's (OAG) formal readout citing a COVID-19 infection. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 18. 

 

Paetongtarn quoted her father as saying he is ready to defend himself truthfully in court. She also noted the allegations are politically motivated, originating from a former attorney-general during the junta-led government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, who came to power after the 2014 coup that ousted Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

 

 

The case traces back to comments Thaksin allegedly made in a 2009 interview in Seoul, wherein he supposedly linked the monarchy to the 2006 coup that ended his premiership. These remarks have now resurfaced as a focal point of the legal action against him.

 

Thaksin, a billionaire and influential political figure, has had a rocky legal history. Convicted in absentia on other charges of power abuse and facing an 8-year jail sentence, he lived in self-exile for 17 years before returning last August. His sentence was subsequently reduced to one year by royal pardon, and he spent time in a private hospital ward instead of prison. He was paroled earlier this year.

 

The lese majeste lawsuits are notoriously complex and lengthy, often taking several years to reach a verdict. If convicted, Thaksin could face between three to fifteen years in prison. The political ramifications of this case are significant, as it continues to highlight the deep divisions within Thai politics.

 

As the court date approaches, all eyes will be on how Thaksin handles yet another legal battle in his tumultuous political career.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-03

 

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For me it looks like they are VERY concerned.🙏

So Thaksin's 2023 Royal Pardon doesn't count? 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

She also noted the allegations are politically motivated, originating from a former attorney-general during the junta-led government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, who came to power after the 2014 coup that ousted Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

How many times do we hear this? Any allegation of malfeasance is politically motivated.... I shall spout this horse manure as my defence, should I ever need it.

 

Good grief. 

4 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Haven't the courts already ruled crimes committed abroad don't count?

 

Only the ones the courts choose, and this may vary from time to time....

8 hours ago, hotchilli said:

He'll drag it out as long as possible, appeal against any guilty verdict and continue to meddle in politics.

Yea for sure, he may die before it's all sorted in the courts.

AFAIK his remarks were about the Privy Council colluding with the army to make a coup, not the King himself.

 

I guess his defence will be that the Privy Council is not a member of the Royal Family.

wasn't there a party that tried to stop this lese majestic abuse?

2 hours ago, digger70 said:

Yea for sure, he may die before it's all sorted in the courts.

We live in hope

I can’t help but think of that poor girl who sacrificed her life having been denied bail for a very similar offence justice can be very unfair to some when others are free to walk the streets 

42 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

We live in hope

Halelujah .

10 hours ago, Srikcir said:

So Thaksin's 2023 Royal Pardon doesn't count? 

I was thinking the same thing.  

she has sent cake boxes to all the right people so nothing to worry about, the family takes care of its own