Thai former PM Thaksin takes stand in royal defamation case
Former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra to Testify on Wednesday
Case Reaches a Critical Turning Point for the Shinawatra Dynasty
On Wednesday, 75‑year‑old former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will appear in court to defend himself against charges of royal defamation. The closed‑door trial in Bangkok could sentence him to up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted in an offence that violates Thailand’s strict lese majeste laws.
Political Legacy and Shifting Influence
- Thaksin has shaped Thai politics for the past quarter‑century, founding a political clan that repeatedly challenged the traditional pro‑royal and pro‑military elite.
- His prosecution—combined with the recent suspension of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra—signals a dramatic decline in the family’s political fortune, according to analysts.
The Prosecutors’ Allegations
The case centers on remarks Thaksin made to South Korean media a decade ago. Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontri, told reporters that his client gave testimony in the morning “and will continue throughout the rest of the day.” The court has scheduled the verdict for August 22.
Supporters Rally at the Courthouse
About 50 supporters gathered at the courthouse wearing red shirts—the colour of Thaksin’s movement—displaying his portrait. A retired accountant, Vaew Wilailak, described Thaksin as “a very talented guy,” but noted that “bad people just want to get rid of him”.
Return to Thailand and Ongoing Political Tensions
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in exile, following a military coup that ousted him from the premiership he was twice elected to. He returned the day his family’s Pheu Thai party took office in a coalition government backed by their conservative former enemies, fueling suspicions a back‑room deal had been struck.
Past Graft and Pardon
Immediately upon his return, Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison on graft and abuse of power charges, later reduced to one year by a pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Political analyst Yuttaporn Issarachai told AFP that there is always someone within the establishment who sees him as a threat to Thai society.
Thaksin’s Loyalty and Current State
In recent interviews, Thaksin affirmed his loyalty to the monarchy and expressed gratitude for the king’s pardon. Outside the court on the trial’s opening day (July 1), his lawyer said his client appeared “chill” despite the seriousness of the case.
Paetongtarn’s Suspension and Political Fallout
On the same day, Paetongtarn was suspended by the Constitutional Court pending an ethics probe into her conduct during a leaked diplomatic phone call discussing a deadly border clash between Thailand and Cambodia. The call sparked backlash for seeming to kowtow to a foreign statesman and undermine her own country’s military.
Recent Legislative Moves
On Wednesday, Thailand’s parliament threw out a draft amnesty bill in its first reading that would have released more than 30 people in prison for royal defamation.
Legal Context
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, at least 280 people have been prosecuted under the kingdom’s strict lese majeste law since 2020, which shields the king and his close family from any criticism and carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years per offence.
