Thaksin commits to attending court for indictment on lese-majeste charge

[webfact]

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has confirmed he will appear before the Criminal Court on 18 June to be formally indicted on lese majeste charges. The charge follows remarks he made about 14 years ago during an interview with a South Korean newspaper. Thaksin had previously missed a scheduled appearance on 29 May, citing illness from COVID-19.

 

The announcement was made at a public event in Pathum Thani province, his first appearance in over ten days. Thaksin expressed confidence in defending himself, claiming the charges are a by-product of the military coup that deposed him from office several years ago. He also voiced his support for current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is under scrutiny by 40 senators accusing him of ethical misconduct over the appointment of Phichit Chuenban as PM’s Office minister.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thaksin's return to the public eye occurred during the ordination ceremony for the nephew of the mayor of Thanyaburi subdistrict. Accompanied by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, the leader of the Pheu Thai party, Thaksin was met with applause from numerous red-shirt supporters in attendance.

 

The attorney-general pursued charges against Thaksin for allegedly violating lese majeste laws in the interview. Thaksin's legal team previously requested a postponement due to his illness, which was granted, setting the new court date for 18 June.

 

Thaksin's attendance at the Pathum Thani event is widely considered a strategic move to rally support ahead of the upcoming mayoral election for the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, where Pheu Thai candidate Charn Puangpet is running for office. Alongside the political manoeuvring, the event featured a grand Chinese dinner with 1,700 tables, signalling a significant gathering of both political supporters and community members.

 

The outcome of Thaksin's court appearance and the surrounding political activities continue to be closely watched by observers and supporters alike.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

-- 2024-06-10

 

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[hotchilli]

Thaksin is a menace... he should stay home and look after the grand children.

[Pique Dard]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

....indicted on lese majeste charges.

...lèse majesté is a name of french origin, very popular in the land of smiles.

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The outcome of Thaksin's court appearance and the surrounding political activities continue to be closely watched by observers and supporters alike.

 

 

The best outcome would be that he has to leave for Dubai again ...

[Pouatchee]

non-event. it will be something if he actually gets convicted and doesnt run away, but goes to jail...not a hospital

[rocketboy2]

What time is curtain up, for the next Thaksin pantomime.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

He goes to court and listens to a judge. Now that is definitely something new. 

[Gottfrid]

32 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

He goes to court and listens to a judge. Now that is definitely something new. 

Yeah, new experience he never had before. 1 sign off the bucket list 🤣

[tomazbodner]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has confirmed he will appear before the Criminal Court on 18 June to be formally indicted on lese majeste charges.

Via Zoom from Dubai...

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

violating lese majeste laws

This won't help Thailand gain back its representation (lost in 2014) on the UNHRC. Ironically, one of PM Thavisin's initiatives.

"Thailand / Freedom of expression: UN expert recommends amendment of lèse majesté laws," 10 October 2011

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/

• "... any law that limits the right to freedom of expression must be clear and unambiguous regarding the specific type of expression that is prohibited, and proven to be necessary and proportionate for the intended purposes."

[John Drake]

He could still skedaddle.  There is a family precedent for doing so at the last minute.

 

Quote

Former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra has fled abroad, sources say, ahead of a verdict in her trial over a rice subsidy scheme.

Sources in her party say she made the decision to leave unexpectedly, shortly before she was due to appear at the Supreme Court on negligence charges. Her lawyers told the court she had been unable to attend because she was ill. But when she failed to appear, the court issued an arrest warrant for her and confiscated her bail.   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41046993

 

[LudwigK]

Played he already all of his law tricks???

[sherwood]

Wondering who paid for the 1500 table Chinese banquet?

[connda]

Ohhh wonderful.  Tony consented to go to court.  How nice of him.  I mean, really...Tony is Tony - Teflon Tony.  Well, I'm sure if he is indicted and convicted there will be a nice, comfy remand prison penthouse suite for him to while-away-the-time until his pardon.  Of course, no doubt that "heart issue" will suddenly appear with Tony back on his death bed while weakly mouthing the request, "Please, please let me serve my time at home surrounded by my family and grandchildren <cough cough>."

""This is the big one! You hear that, Elizabeth? I'm coming to join ya, honey!"

[watchcat]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thaksin is a menace... he should stay home and look after the grand children.

 

Better yet, he should stay outside this country like when the cha-cha guy threatend him with  a jailtime.  He knew it was time  to leavet the country.

"fortunately" for him he managed to divorce his wife before she left pronto with half the plane filled with her luggage.

 

[watchcat]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

He goes to court and listens to a judge. Now that is definitely something new. 

 

I think he knows the outcome, as he did when he arrived to the hospital. He looks very fit concidering covid illness a few days ago,  just needed time to confirm with his boss about the court

[digger70]

Thaksin commits to attending court 

 

So he says , He could get Very sick before then could he? 

He could also  leave the country  Before court day if he feels that he maybe found Guilty and has  to go to Jail.

[Red Forever]

9 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thaksin is a menace... he should stay home and look after the grand children.

Mr T is relevant and the reason that sad obsessives live to fantasise about.

Think about it. Without the daily red meat thrown at the sad Mr T obsessives you and their lives would have nothing to hate.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Red Forever said:

Mr T is relevant and the reason that sad obsessives live to fantasise about.

Think about it. Without the daily red meat thrown at the sad Mr T obsessives you and their lives would have nothing to hate.

I don't hate him... I'm not a hater.

I just feel sad for the Thai population who deserve better than clan rule.

[john donson]

if the one that cannot be named even concerned about all this ? is he even in thailand?

[still kicking]

15 minutes ago, john donson said:

if the one that cannot be named even concerned about all this ? is he even in thailand?

I could answer your question, but I might get banned.

[anchadian]

Source - Bangkok Post, link not provided,