Former Thai PM Thaksin Formally Charged in Royal Insult Case
TimeJun 25
Thailand: Former PM Indicted on Royal Defamation Charges
Above: Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Image copyright: Lauren DeCicca/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday was granted 500K baht ($13.6K) bail by the Criminal Court of Thailand following his indictment on lese majeste charges.
Thaksin is charged with defaming the monarchy during an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper nine years ago when he accused the king's advisory council of helping conduct a coup the year before.
The Spin
Narrative A
Thaksin must be held accountable for his corruption. Despite his indictments and previous parole status, he decided to act as a de facto diplomat by meeting with foreign governments. Instead of allowing the MFP to take charge and make real change, Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party is also proposing economic policies that would benefit his corporate friends over working-class people.
Narrative B
Thaksin's wealth doesn't mean he's an elitist. Consider how he garnered a voter base of working-class Thais, and how his anti-monarchy platform inspired regular people to speak out. If the military establishment didn't crack down on him and his supporters through coups and lawfare, he wouldn't be facing these charges.