Thaksin appears in Criminal Court to face formal lese majeste charges

[webfact]

 

Thailand's ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reported to Bangkok's Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court today to be formally indicted with charges of lese majeste and violating the Computer Crime Act. The charges have been filed by public prosecutors, marking a significant moment in the controversial political figure's ongoing legal battles.

 

Thaksin left his Chan Song La residence this morning in a chauffeured Mercedes Benz, offering a brief wave to the assembled media through his car window. His personal lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, attended the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on his behalf to acknowledge the lese majeste charge and later joined him at the court.

 

Arriving at the court through the back gate at about 8:48 am, Thaksin’s arrival was closely monitored by a sizable group of journalists and photographers. Many of his red-shirt supporters gathered in the court's compound to show their solidarity, with more expected to join as the day progresses.

 

The legal procedures require Thaksin to be formally indicted before the court's judges. Following the indictment, his lawyer will then submit a bail application. If the application is denied, Thaksin will be remanded to the Bangkok Remand Prison until trial. Conversely, if bail is granted, he will be released.

 

Winyat assured the media at the OAG that Thaksin remains unperturbed about the court's decision on his bail application, expressing confidence and readiness for the impending trial.

 

The lese majeste charge against Thaksin stems from a 2015 interview with a South Korean newspaper, during which he accused privy councillors of endorsing the 2014 coup that deposed the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The indictment raises the stakes in Thaksin's complex legal and political journey, drawing significant public and media attention.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai PBS

 

-- 2024-06-18

 

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[sambum]

"Following the indictment, his lawyer will then submit a bail application. If the application is denied, Thaksin will be remanded to the Bangkok Remand Prison until trial."

 

As if that is likely to happen - no wonder Thaksin seems "unperturbed" about his "trial" - it's all done and dusted already - like his return to Thailand with the possibility of going to jail for 8 years!

[Georgealbert]

Thaksin was released on bail of 500000 baht after The Criminal Court accepted the lèse-majesté case.

Edited June 18 by Georgealbert

[Artisi]

6 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Thaksin  was released on bail of 500000 baht after The Criminal Court accepted the lèse-majesté case.

paid from the piggy bank in small change collected over the past week or two.

[John Drake]

8 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Thaksin  was released on bail of 500000 baht after The Criminal Court accepted the lèse-majesté case.

 

The guy probably spends that much when he sends out his serfs to buy his groceries.

[Georgealbert]

Statement issued by Mr. Prayut Phetkhun, spokesman for the Attorney General's Office at a news conference on the Thaksin case, and the charges he faces.

My translation.

Edited June 18 by Georgealbert

[webfact]

'Thaksin' received bail in the amount of 5 hundred thousand baht in the case of Section 112-Computer Act. Denies all accusations and asks to fight the case.

 

Source: Facebook

[Mr Meeseeks]

The pantomime continues.

[webfact]

Urgent: Thaksin Released On Bail In Lese Majeste Case
by TNR Staff

 

 

FORMER prime minister and de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra was released on bail by the Criminal Court at 10.45 a.m. today (June 18) in a lese majeste lawsuit filed against him, Naewna newspaper said.

 

Early this morning Thaksin and his entourage had left his Chan Song Lah residence in a grey Mercedes Benz sedan and went to the Attorney-General’s Office on Ratchadapisek road, after prosecutors moved to file a case against him on lese majeste, also known Section 112 of the Criminal Code, charges and allegedly violating the Computer Crimes Act.

 

He then went to the Criminal Court and to avoid the big media contingent used the rear entrance.

 

Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-06-18

 

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[watchcat]

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

He then went to the Criminal Court and to avoid the big media contingent used the rear entrance.

 

Again a coward,,,,,

[ikke1959]

Thai justice.... many demonstrators are bail denied and remain in prison, but the culprit with high ranked friends is bail granted... Shame shame shame... but again how corrupt is the whole system.. Free all other now on bail

[lom]

"The court has released Thaksin on bail of 500,000 baht ($13,600) under the condition that he is prohibited from leaving the country unless granted permission," a court statement said.

 

Less than the bail set for some of the young protesters in recent years.

[wombat]

11 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai justice.... many demonstrators are bail denied and remain in prison, but the culprit with high ranked friends is bail granted... Shame shame shame... but again how corrupt is the whole system.. Free all other now on bail

Same in any country money talks and BS walks.

[Korat Kiwi]

He then went to the Criminal Court and to avoid the big media contingent used the rear entrance.

 

Probably not the last rear entrance that he'll use either..... 

 

 

 

[Purdey]

Not ill enough for a prolonged hospital stay I guess.

[tandor]

 

Edited June 18 by tandor

[Purdey]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The lese majeste charge against Thaksin stems from a 2015 interview with a South Korean newspaper, during which he accused privy councillors of endorsing the 2014 coup that deposed the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

This is really confusing as the Lese Majeste law only protects the king, queen, heir-apparent, heir-presumptive, or regent. 

I am not really interested but thought someone might know why non-monarchial personalities are included.

[bob smith]

No neck brace?

 

wheelchair?

 

zimmer frame?

 

bob.

[CRUNCHER]

I can imagine that there are quite a few in authority who would like to see him return to Dubai. A problem exported is a problem solved.

[Homburg]

Thaksin in, Thaksin out, in out, in out, shake it all about.......

[hotchilli]

54 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai justice.... many demonstrators are bail denied and remain in prison, but the culprit with high ranked friends is bail granted... Shame shame shame... but again how corrupt is the whole system.. Free all other now on bail

Stinks doesn't it.... the man is a menace to Thailand.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, watchcat said:

 

Again a coward,,,,,

Not that I have anything positive to say about this guy. He will unfortunately never stand trial for anything. The most bad thing here is that he was released on bail. Something that was already 100% sure before he entered the room. However, I do not consider it to be an act of a coward to use the back entrance to avoid the press and media. That is something many know persons do, as there is to high focus and pressure on them. What should have been done, is to deny the possibility for him to use the rear entrance.

[Srikcir]

22 minutes ago, Homburg said:

Thaksin in, Thaksin out, in out, in out, shake it all about.......

And then maybe get another royal pardon?

[orchis]

Just now, Srikcir said:

And then maybe get another royal pardon?

and then the big comeback.

[Srikcir]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

That is something many know persons do, as there is to high focus and pressure on them.

In countries where there is trial by jury, defendant's encounter with press, protesters, etc. on court entry might be considered prejudicial to the jury who are not to react or consider public displays in their verdict. However, Thailand does not use jury trials.

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, lom said:

"The court has released Thaksin on bail of 500,000 baht ($13,600) under the condition that he is prohibited from leaving the country unless granted permission," a court statement said.

 

Less than the bail set for some of the young protesters in recent years.

left last time with permission, that worked out well didn't it - seems it did for thaksin, only took half a life-time for his promised return. 

[impulse]

I wonder if there was a guy with a stopwatch and clipboard at U-Tapoa for the "event" with the A319 VIP jet a few days ago. 

 

You know, to figure out the exact timing...

 

[Artisi]

45 minutes ago, bob smith said:

No neck brace?

 

wheelchair?

 

zimmer frame?

 

bob.

getting it all ready for his next appearance, deciding what to use - neck brace with wheelchair or zimmer frame - oh! the drama of too many choices.

[thesetat2013]

1 hour ago, lom said:

"The court has released Thaksin on bail of 500,000 baht ($13,600) under the condition that he is prohibited from leaving the country unless granted permission," a court statement said.

 

Less than the bail set for some of the young protesters in recent years.

I doubt also that they confiscated his passports as well. 

Am curious what type of court issues bail on someone proven to be a runner for other charges when let out on bail? One would think that act in itself would be the denying factor. 

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

In countries where there is trial by jury, defendant's encounter with press, protesters, etc. on court entry might be considered prejudicial to the jury who are not to react or consider public displays in their verdict. However, Thailand does not use jury trials.

Keep a  jury out of it, be too many brown envelopes. Be less for others higher up.