Thailand Politics
Thaksin Shinawatra’s Prosecution Under Section 112 Delayed to June 18
(CTN News) – On May 28th, 2024, Thai national media reported that a lawyer representing former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went to the Office of the Attorney General to request a postponement of a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 29th in a case involving charges of political crimes under Section 112, also known as Lese Majeste.
According to the lawyer, Thaksin has contracted COVID-19, and doctors have recommended that he rest and stay under surveillance until June 3rd, 2024.
TPN previously covered Thaksin’s case, focusing on allegations under Section 112 of the Criminal Code for alleged offenses against the monarchy.
The Attorney General’s Office held a press conference about the case on May 29 at 9:00 a.m. Thai media stated that the Attorney General ordered Thaksin’s prosecution.
The Attorney General’s Office, however, was unable to file charges against Thaksin with the court because he did not attend the scheduled hearing. The lawyer requested that the Attorney General’s Office order hearing be rescheduled for June 25th, 2024, at 9:00 AM.
According to Thai national media, the Attorney General’s Office postponed the hearing until June 18th, 2024, to allow additional legal proceedings.
ORIGINAL STORY: Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra To Be Indicted For Insulting Monarchy
Thailand’s former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, faces indictment on charges of insulting the monarchy, the nation’s attorney-general announced.
The charges stem from a 2015 interview Thaksin gave to a Korean newspaper during his 15-year exile, in which he accused the king’s advisory body of orchestrating the 2014 military coup that toppled his sister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand last year was a significant moment in the country’s fraught political landscape, potentially signaling the end of longstanding animosity between his influential political dynasty and conservative factions.
His comeback appeared to facilitate a coalition between his party and some political adversaries, aimed at sidelining the progressive Move Forward Party, which had gained substantial support in the 2023 elections.
However, the decision to charge the 74-year-old under Thailand‘s stringent lese majeste law highlights the enduring influence of his opponents within the royalist establishment.
The law, which criminalizes defamation, insults, or threats to the royal family, has been increasingly used as a tool against political dissenters.
In recent years, it has been interpreted broadly to encompass any negative commentary about the monarchy, including bodies associated with it, such as the privy council.
A Controversial Figure in Thai Politics
Thaksin Shinawatra, a towering figure in Thai politics, served as Prime Minister from 2001 until his ousting by a military coup in 2006. His populist policies and substantial rural support have made him both a beloved and polarizing figure.
Following his removal, Thaksin lived in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges, which he and his supporters claim were politically motivated.
In 2011, his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra,, became Thailand’s first female Prime Minister, continuing the family’s political legacy. A military coup in 2014 similarly disrupted her administration, which Thaksin attributed to maneuvers by the privy council.
His allegations in the 2015 interview are the crux of the current lese majeste charges. READ MORE…
Thailand Politics
Thai Prime Minister’s Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates
(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.
According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.
The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.
According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.
This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.
Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.
Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.
The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.
Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.
About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.
Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.
The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.
More in: Move Forward Party
Thailand Politics
Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation
(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.
The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.
The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.
Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.
ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.
In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.
Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.
The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.
A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.
Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.
The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.
Thailand Politics
Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom
(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.
Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.
Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.
Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond
Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.
Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.
Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.
“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.
The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.
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