FORMER Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not yet out of the woods after a royal defamation case filed against him has been revived.
Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted for defaming the monarchy, according to Thai prosecutors.
Thaksin’s indictment was originally scheduled for Wednesday, the 29th of May, but got postponed after showing proof that he has Covid-19.
His indictment was rescheduled on June 18.
The royal defamation case dates back to his interview with foreign media in May 2015.
Thailand’s lese-majeste law is among the strictest in the world. The law deems it illegal to defame, insult, or threaten the monarch of Thailand which includes the king, queen, heir-apparent, heir-presumptive, or regent. Penalties range from three to fifteen years imprisonment for each offense.
Thaksin was ousted from power during a military coup in 2006 and returned after fifteen years of self-imposed exile.
Upon his return, the 74-year-old billionaire was immediately arrested in August 2023 for charges related to corruption and abuse of power.
He only served six months out of his reduced eight-year sentence and was released on parole on February 18 due to his age and health.
Earlier this month, the former Prime Minister met with several ethnic armed groups as he seeks to play the role of a mediator in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The Thai government made it clear he is not an official representative but acting on a personal level.
