File photo for reference only

 

The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Thailand has approved a second extension of the appeal deadline regarding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who faced charges under Section 112 for alleged remarks affecting the monarchy. This extension allows prosecutors until November 21, 2025, to file an appeal against the court's previous acquittal. The case stems from an interview Thaksin gave, which was scrutinized under the Computer Crime Act 2017 and lèse-majesté laws.

 

Originally, the court acquitted Thaksin as it found that his comments focused on criticism of the coup and did not target the monarchy. The prosecution's evidence was deemed insufficient under the criminal case's high burden of proof. This verdict led to the initial extension request by prosecutors, which was granted in September, followed by another this October.

 

The Office of the Attorney-General's Section 112 review committee had earlier decided 8:2 against pursuing an appeal. Despite this, the Attorney-General at the time, Phairach Pornsomboonsiri, ordered a review by the Section 112 committee. Their recommendation against appeal was sent for final confirmation by the Attorney-General.

 

In the latest development, current Attorney-General Itthiporn Kaewthip has decided to proceed with the appeal citing violations under relevant sections of the Criminal Code and Computer Crime Act. This decision was made before the new appeal deadline of November 21, setting the stage for further legal proceedings, reported The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways

• The Criminal Court has extended the appeal deadline for Thaksin's case to November 21, 2025.
• The initial court ruled there was insufficient evidence for a conviction under Section 112.
• Attorney-General Itthiporn Kaewthip decided to appeal despite prior committee recommendations.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-11-17

 

 

I believe this will delay Thaksin's release from jail, quite possibly until after the election.

With no appeal from the prosecutor, Thaksin would have been eligible for parole after 4 months of his sentence but not now.

Is this what he said in 2015? If the computer crime act didn't come into force until 2017 can it be backdated? 

As much as I hate Thaksin I hate Section 112 more.