By Thai Rath and Naewna newspapers plus Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE RATCHA Criminal Court this morning (Aug. 22) dismissed charges of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, better known as the lese majeste law, and Computer Crimes Act of 2017 against de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra.
The court had earlier cross-examined both defence and plaintiff witnesses in this case with Thaksin’s lawyer, Mr. Winyat Chatimatri, have brought three to testify. Aside for Thaksin who testified on his own behalf the other two were former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and former permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry Thongthong Chandrangsu.
Upon arriving at Ratchada Criminal Court as scheduled this morning Thaksin waved to the media and Red Shirt supporters while hugging his daughter Ms. Pintongta Shinawatra-Kunakornwong without giving any comment.
Thaksin had reportedly mentioned the monarchy for alleged involvement in the 2014 coup staged by former army chief-turned-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to depose his sister/fugitive prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from power during an interview with a news agency in Seoul in the following year.
Those found guilty by court of lese majeste charges may be sentenced to a range of three to 15 years in jail.
Thaksin who had been ousted in the 2006 coup categorically dismissed the lese majeste charges, saying he had never mentioned the monarchy though he had reportedly used the words “palace circle” in relation to the coup during his interview with Chosun Media in the South Korean capital.
CAPTION:
De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra arriving at Ratchada Criminal Court this morning, Aug. 22, 2025. All photos: Naewna
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