THE former Prime Minister of Thailand was granted bail a day after he was formally indicted on a charge of defaming the country’s monarchy.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is a free man again, at least for now, as the controversial leader faces a court case that has shaken Thai politics.
Thaksin was formally indicted Tuesday under Thailand’s strict lese-majeste law which criminalizes defamation, insult, or threats against the monarch of Thailand.
This means the former prime minister faces up to 15 years in prison if proven guilty.
Thaksin was granted bail on a 500,000 baht bond or about 13,600 U.S. dollars under the condition that he would not leave Thailand without permission.
The former prime minister has denied all charges.
Thaksin was ousted from power during a military coup in 2006 and returned to Thailand after fifteen years of self-imposed exile.
The 74-year-old billionaire was immediately arrested in August 2023 for charges related to corruption and abuse of power and was released on parole on February 18 due to his age and health.
The Prime Minister and Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra are on. the same political party assured that he would face the royal defamatory case against him in court and would not escape the country.
