Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was indicted and arraigned on a charge of defaming the country's monarchy, a case that has stirred political tensions in Thailand. Thaksin, who is considered the driving force behind the ruling Pheu Thai party, was granted bail after reporting himself to prosecutors.
Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand last year from self-imposed exile and served most of his corruption-related sentence in a hospital due to medical reasons. Since his release on parole in February, he has been actively engaging in public appearances and political commentary, raising concerns among the conservative establishment that led to his ouster in 2006.
Thaksin's opponents accused him of corruption and disrespecting the monarchy, triggering a deep political divide in Thailand. The recent lese majeste charge against him is seen as a warning to curb his political activities.
Thaksin's lawyer stated that his client is prepared to face the legal process and maintains his innocence. The Criminal Court approved Thaksin's bail with a bond of 500,000 baht ($13,000) and imposed travel restrictions on him.
The offense of defaming the monarchy, known as lese majeste, carries a severe penalty of three to 15 years in prison, making it one of the strictest laws globally. Thaksin's case is one of several legal challenges affecting Thai politics, including the potential dissolution of the Move Forward party and an investigation into the Prime Minister's Cabinet appointment.
The Constitutional Court, perceived as aligned with the royalist establishment, is overseeing these cases, highlighting the power dynamics between elected officials and unelected bodies in Thailand. The court's decisions on these matters are expected to shape the country's political landscape in the coming months.
The situation underscores the complex interplay of political forces in Thailand and the ongoing struggle for democratic governance in the country.
