THE country’s attorney-general is considering prosecuting convicted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra over an alleged insult of the powerful monarchy, just weeks away from his possible release on parole.
The complaint concerns a 2015 interview he gave while in South Korea and was filed by a junta that ran Thailand after the military overthrew a government led by Thaksin’s sister. Thaksin has repeatedly pledged loyalty to the monarchy.
Insulting the crown is a serious offence in Thailand, where the constitution states the king must be held in a position of “revered worship”.
The lese majeste law is among the world’s strictest, with each perceived offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The influential Thaksin, who was prime minister from 2001-2006, made a dramatic homecoming last August from 15 years in self-imposed exile to serve an eight-year jail sentence for abuse of power, later commuted to one year by the king.
The billionaire is being detained at a hospital with an undisclosed health problem and has yet to spend a full night in prison. He is eligible for parole later this month.
Prayut Petchkhun, spokesperson for the attorney-general’s office, told reporters yesterday that the seven-year delay in acting on the royal insults complaint was because Thaksin had been abroad.
If Thaksin is freed, he would be detained by police, Prayut said, adding he could be released temporarily while the attorney-general considers whether to press charges.
Thaksin’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. — Reuters
