Charges announced against Thaksin Shinawatra for lese majesty: Thailand's political future at stake

The Office of the Attorney General of Thailand has announced that formal charges will be brought against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for the crime of lese majesty, a crime punishable in the country with between 3 and 15 years of imprisonment. This news has once again shaken the Thai political scene, as Thaksin returned to the country last August after 15 years in self-imposed exile. The complaint against him is related to statements made in 2015 against the Privy Council of the Royal House of Thailand during an interview with a South Korean news agency. In these statements, Thaksin Shinawatra claimed that the monarchical body was behind the military coup of May 2014 that overthrew the government of his younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. The Prosecutor's Office considers that these statements could constitute a crime under Thai law, despite being made outside the country. This announcement comes after a long investigation by the authorities, who formally notified Thaksin in January. Thaksin, a central figure in Thai politics in recent decades, returned to the country last year and was sent directly to prison to serve previous sentences for corruption and abuse of power. However, due to health reasons, he was transferred to house arrest in February. During his stay in the hospital, he received a royal pardon that reduced his sentence from eight years to one, which he will serve in August of this year. Thaksin's return coincides with the formation of a new government led by the Pheu Thai party, linked to the Shinawatra clan, which has been interpreted as a sign of reconciliation between the pro-military and pro-monarchy elite of the country and the circle of the former prime minister. Thaksin, who was overthrown in a coup in 2006 and has maintained his political influence from exile, is considered by many as Thailand's public enemy number one. These recent events have generated tensions in the country, where the issue of the monarchy is extremely delicate and protected by strict lese majesty laws. The accusation against Thaksin Shinawatra once again raises the complex relationship between political power and the monarchical institution in Thailand, a country where traditions and politics are closely intertwined. The scheduled date to file the lawsuit in court is June 18, after a postponement requested by Thaksin's legal representative due to his health condition from Covid-19 was accepted. This case will continue to be closely followed by the public and political analysts, as it could have profound implications for Thailand's political future and its relationship with the monarchy.