Court receives Thakasin Shinavatra in the case of royal insult

The Bangkok court acquitted the controversial billionaire and former Thai Prime Minister Thassin Shinavatra, who was accused of insulting the monarchy.

He gave allegations related to an interview to a South Korean newspaper ten years ago. If convicted, he will have to face a jail of up to 15 years.

Thailand’s Lease Majesty Law has refused to insult its monarchy. But critics say it is often used to target workers and political opponents.

The verdict came as Thacasin’s daughter, PM Patongtern was suspended, on which a constitutional court verdict faced whether she should be removed from the office or not. These cases pose a threat to the Shinavatra clan, which has been a major strength in Thai politics for decades.

Friday’s decision has given some relief to the family and their supporters.

Vinott Charmontary, a lawyer who starred for Thacasin, told reporters that after the verdict, after studying in court, his client smiled and thanked his lawyers. He also said that he was now able to work for the benefit of the country.

The charge against Thakasin was originally filed in 2016 under the then Sainik Sarkar, when he was in exile, and was re-activated last year after returning to Thailand.

At first glance, the case against him seemed weak.

In an interview with the South Korean newspaper, the former Prime Minister said that the 2014 military coup removed the elected government of his sister Yingalak – as he was removed by the previous coup in 2006 – “Some people in the palace” and the members of the Privy Council, by the members of the Privy Council, 19 -Sadasy Body, which advises Thai King.

Technically, the Privy Council is not covered by the Majest Law, stating that it is only a crime to act as a king, queen, throne, or anyone to act as a regist.

However, in recent years the law has been implemented to criminalize any action or statement that may be negatively reflected on the monarchy as an institution.

In the past, people have been prosecuted for adversely comment about the late king Bhumibol’s dog and a Thai king of the 16th century.

Recently, a young woman was sentenced to five years prison for placing a banner criticizing the budget to help people affected by Kovid close to a picture of King Vajiralongcorn.

The interpretation of the law has become so widespread that human rights groups see it as a political tool, which can be used to intimidate and silence people who challenge the status quo.

Many people believed what was happening to Thakasin.

However, the judges chose to explain the literal meaning of the words of the law, and said that as the defendant did not name, it should be acquitted.

The decision comes exactly two years after the 15 -year exile of the Prime Minister’s dramatic return.

At the time when it was believed that there was a grand deal between Thakasin and his long -term conservative opponents, so that his party Fo Thai, which was placed from its general number one place to another in 2023, could form a coalition government and place young reformists who actually won elections outside power.

The terms of that bargaining have never been made public – Satasin has always emphasized that there was no deal – but it is likely that they incorporate a compromise that he will maintain a low profile and will be out of politics.

But a lower profile is completely fiery, rich and ambitious tycoon.

He is still considered to be the biggest fund of Feau Thai and takes all the main decisions for the party.

When the Prime Minister’s first choice, businessman Saretha Thawicin, was disqualified by the constitutional court that was consistently intervened a year ago, Thacasin’s inexperienced daughter Patongtern Shinavatra took the rudder, who became Thailand’s smallest Prime Minister.

A self-known “Daddy girl”, she said that she would happily take her advice. As he took over, Mr. Thacasin announced “vision for Thailand”, including a controversial resolution to legalize Casino; Later, most of the official policy became.

The parliamentary opposition has accused the Shinavatra family of running “double leadership”. Thakasin’s trade relations for Cambodian Strongman Hun Sen also expressed concern on how his government would protect Thailand on the border dispute between the two countries.

It came to a head in a private phone conversation leaked by Hun Sen in which Patongtern was heard referring to as “uncle”, and criticizing his own army commander on the border, for which he has now been suspended by the constitutional court, which will decide whether he has been dismissed in a week time.

At the time of great global uncertainty, losing another Prime Minister after just one year can be very risky. It is not clear who will replace patongturns.

Thacasin faced another court case next month, which was transferred to a hospital to serve the previous jail sentence. They can be allowed to stay out of jail that their party will have to call in an initial election, at a time when the government may lose many seats in Parliament as a result of its poor performance.