Thailand’s Criminal Court will deliver its verdict on August 22 in the lese majeste case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, stemming from comments he made in a 2015 media interview that allegedly violated the country’s strict royal defamation laws.
The charges are based on remarks Thaksin made during an interview with South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, in which he reportedly discussed the role of the Privy Council and the 2014 military coup that ousted the government led by his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thaksin’s legal counsel confirmed he will appear in court at 10 am on the day of the ruling. The court set the date after the defence concluded its witness presentation, bringing the trial phase to a close.
In the final hearing, the defence called three individuals to testify: former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Tongthong Chandransu, a former top official in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Thaksin himself. Although a total of 14 witnesses had been listed, the defence opted to proceed with just three, stating their testimony sufficiently addressed the charges.
The date of the ruling notably coincides with the second anniversary of Thaksin’s return to Thailand following 15 years of self-imposed exile.
Thaksin arrived discreetly at the Criminal Court, entering through a side entrance to avoid media attention. He was accompanied by former prime minister and brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, along with a number of supporters.
After the session, Thaksin briefly acknowledged his backers before departing the court premises. His lawyer later told reporters that the defence would file its closing statement within 15 days and reiterated their position that the prosecution’s evidence was largely based on subjective opinions rather than concrete proof.