Thaksin Shinawatra

The Nation (15 May 2009: “Thaksin to be indicted”) reported on lese majeste charges about to be laid against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Police officials have said that Thaksin will be “recommended for indictment” because of what are said to be “offensive comments about the monarchy” during the events that led to the Songkran Uprising and immediately after.

Special Branch commissioner Lt General Theeradet Rodphothong stated that the “police report has drawn the conclusion that Thaksin has committed lese majeste as per Article 112 of the Criminal Code…”. The policeman added that “Thaksin made numerous disrespectful references to the royal institution in his interviews to the foreign press describing the riots by the red-shirt crowd.”

The Nation reports that the “investigation report is expected to be submitted for final review by police headquarters before forwarding to the Attorney-General’s Office.”

In early November 2009, Thaksin has again been accused of lese majeste following an interview with The Times. The Democrat Party-led government is reportedly investigating. For more on this see here. A group of self-proclaimed nationalists and Thaksin opponents laid charges with the police.

Background on the Thaksin cases:

There is too much background regarding Thaksin and Thailand’s politics for PPT to be able to record it all here. Thaksin is arguably the most controversial, and for a time, the most popular, politician Thailand has had in the modern era. For a flavour, see PPT’s commentaries pages, the BBC profile and the Wikipedia entry on Thaksin.

Media reports:

There are many reports. Here PPT lists just a few.

ABC News, 11 November 2009: “Thaksin faces fresh lese majeste charges”

Bangkok Post, 10 November 2009: “Lese majeste complaint against Thaksin”

The Nation, 15 May 2009: “Thaksin to be indicted”