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Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Will Be Indicted for Royal Defamation, Prosecutors Say

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, arrives at Don Muang airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, 22 August, 2023. Thai prosecutors on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, said Thaksin will be indicted for defaming the monarchy, three months after he was freed on parole on other charges. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai prosecutors said on 29 May former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted for defaming the monarchy, three months after he was freed on parole on other charges.

Thaksin will not yet be indicted because he had filed a request to postpone his original appointment on Wednesday with proof that he has COVID-19, Prayuth Bejraguna, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, said at a news conference.

The attorney general’s office scheduled a new appointment for Thaksin’s indictment on June 18, Prayuth said, adding that Thaksin will also be indicted for violating the Computer Crime Act.

The law on defaming the monarchy, an offense known as lese majeste, is punishable by three to 15 years in prison. It is controversial not only because critics consider it harsh, but also because they charge it is used for political purposes to punish government critics.

Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006. His opponents then had accused him of disrespecting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016. Thaksin’s ouster set off years of struggle between his supporters and his opponents, who were generally staunch royalists. The political polarization led to unprecedented public debate about the monarchy’s role, which sharpened when student-led protests for greater democracy took the the streets in 2020.

Thaksin had been in self-imposed exile since 2008, but returned to Thailand in August last year to begin serving an eight-year sentence on charges related to corruption and abuse of power. He was released on parole in February from the hospital in Bangkok where he spent six months serving time for corruption-related offenses.

On his return, he was moved almost immediately from prison to the hospital on grounds of ill health, and about a week after that King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to a single year. Thaksin was granted parole because of his age — he is 74 — and ill health, leaving him free for the remainder of his one-year sentence.

Thaksin’s return was interpreted as part of a political bargain between the Pheu Thai Party, the latest in a string of parties that he has supported, and their longstanding rivals in the conservative establishment to stop the progressive Move Forward Party from forming a government after its victory in last year’s general election.

But shortly after his return, the attorney general’s office said it had revived an investigation into whether Thaksin almost nine years ago violated the law against defaming the monarch.

Thaksin was originally charged in 2016 with violating the law for remarks he made to journalists when he was in Seoul, South Korea, a year before that, but the investigation could proceed only after he was presented with the charge in person in the hospital in January, officials said. Thaksin had denied the charges and submitted a statement defending himself.

Prosecutor’s spokesperson Prayuth said there is enough evidence for the attorney general to indict Thaksin. He said the prosecutors have already prepared their statement and documents to present to the court next month.

Malaysia Pledges Support to Elevate Industrial, Commercial Standards in Laos

East Asia and Pacific Regional Growth to Accelerate as China Rebounds
Containers at a trade port. ( Photo : CNA )

Malaysia has pledged its support to enhance industrial and commercial standards in Laos to promote trade between the two nations.

This commitment was reiterated during a meeting in Vientiane on 28 May between Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, and Malaysian Ambassador to Laos, Edi Irwan Mahmud, with the Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce, Malaythong Kommasith, according to Lao state media.

Malaysia agreed to help Laos elevate its commercial and industrial practices through the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM Berhad). This initiative is part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The move aims to bolster support by enhancing the capacity of Lao technicians and young officials and by establishing technical coordination points for industrial and trading principles.

During the meeting, both sides discussed creating a strategic cooperation plan to strengthen guidelines and measurement efforts. The two parties also considered drafting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize this cooperation, focusing on technical upgrades, capacity building, technical upgrades, and sharing information on industrial benchmarks.

Additionally, plans were also discussed for developing a quality-measurement database system, transitioning it to a digital format, providing training to enhance database management, and organizing educational tours to share insights into administrative management, inspection management, and product quality assurance.

Malaysia has supported Laos in its role as the chair of ASEAN this year. Notably, bilateral trade and investment between the two countries have been on the rise, with two-way trade reaching USD 241.7 million in 2022.

Malaysia’s investments in Laos span various sectors, including energy, wood processing, construction, finance, banking, hospitality, mining, and agriculture. This makes Malaysia the fifth largest foreign investor in Laos.

While China, Thailand, and Vietnam continue to play dominant roles in trade and investment in Laos, Malaysia, along with South Korea, France, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, is becoming more active in the region.

Vientiane Capital Takes Stand Against Non-Compliant Signs

Vientiane Capital Takes Stand Against Non-Compliant Signs
A team of the Information, Culture, and Tourism Department takes a group photo during their mission to take down illegal signboards (photo: Lao National Radio)

Vientiane authorities have commenced a mission to inspect and remove illegal signs across the capital following the emergence of numerous signs that do not comply with regulations.

Thailand Approves Five-Year Visa for Digital Nomads, Expands Visa-Free Entry to 93 Countries

temples and The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Hotels)

The Thai government has approved a series of new visa initiatives aimed at attracting more tourists to the country. 

Savannakhet Plans Cultural Heritage Status for Two Iconic Landmarks

Pha That Phon stupa in Savannakhet (Photo: Pathet Lao Daily)

Officials in Savannakhet are planning to include two cultural tourist sites in the province including the Pha That Phon stupa and the Heuan Hin (Stone House) on Laos’ roster of officially recognized cultural heritage sites.

Adapting to Adversity: How Lao Citizens Cope with Economic Challenges

Adapting to Adversity How Lao Citizens Cope with Rising Prices
FILE: this image is used for representational purpose (photo: Laos Tours)

Over the past four years, starting with the onset of COVID-19 in 2019, Laos has experienced a significant economic shift. The current economic woes, marked by rising inflation, high fuel prices, and the growing depreciation of the Lao kip, have left residents especially vulnerable. Many are struggling to make ends meet on low salaries amidst these challenging economic conditions.

A Journey Through History: Celebrating 120 Years of International Football Federation

(Photo: Getty Images)

The Fédération Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) has just turned 120. On 21 May, the world celebrated over a century of the most prestigious football federation globally. On that occasion, President Gianni Infantino highlighted its growth from seven members to 211, uniting billions worldwide through football’s universal language.

Thai Court Sentences Opposition Lawmaker to Two Years in Prison for Defaming Monarchy

Thai Court Sentences Opposition Lawmaker to Two Years in Prison for Defaming Monarchy
Lawmaker of Move Forward Party Chonthicha Jangrew speaks to reporters on her arrival at the Thanyaburi Provincial Court in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 27, 2024. The Thai court on Monday sentenced the lawmaker from the progressive opposition party to two years in prison after finding her guilty of defaming the monarchy in a speech she made during a protest rally three years ago. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court on Monday sentenced a lawmaker from a progressive opposition party to two years in prison after finding her guilty of defaming the monarchy in a speech she made during a protest rally three years ago.