In a tale that could rival the most enthralling political dramas, Thailand finds itself at the center of a saga featuring its former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. This gripping narrative unfolds amidst allegations, legal battles, and the shadow of a monarchy, presenting a saga that seems to leap straight out of a screenplay.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Thailand finds itself grappling with a decision that could potentially stir the nation’s political cauldron. This development comes in the wake of political activist Wirangrong Dabbaransi unveiling images on social media – snapshots of documents originating from the OAG itself, alongside inputs from the Technology Crime Suppression Division. These documents spotlight not one, but two charges knocking on the former premier’s door, stemming from comments made halfway across the globe.
The root of this intriguing episode traces back to an interview with South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo. It was here that Thaksin Shinawatra, with the conviction of a seasoned politician, alleged that the Privy Council was the puppeteer behind the May 22, 2014, coup – a coup that saw his sister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government being unceremoniously shown the door.
OAG spokesman Prayut Phetkhun chimed in with key details, taking us back to a complaint filed against Thaksin on the 16th of February, 2016. The charge was as grave as they come – defaming the monarchy, an accusation stemming from Thaksin’s comments made in Seoul on May 21, 2015. It didn’t end there. By September 19, 2016, the wheels of justice began turning, albeit slowly, with then-attorney-general Pongniwat Yuthapanboripan deciding to indict Thaksin. Adding to the intrigue, Thaksin, labeled a fugitive, had an arrest warrant hot on his heels, courtesy of the Criminal Court. This warrant comes with a shelf life, set to expire on May 21, 2030.
The plot thickened when Thaksin made a cinematic return to Thailand on August 22, last year. It was a return marked by drama, as the police, armed with the aforementioned arrest warrant, greeted him at the Department of Corrections.
On January 17, the specter of lese majeste and related computer crime charges were formally communicated to the 74-year-old political heavyweight. Thaksin, steadfast in his denial, penned down a request for fairness to the attorney general, showcasing a defiance that has been his hallmark.
Yet, the question of his indictment hangs in the air, shrouded in uncertainty. Adding to the suspense, OAG spokesman Prayut Phetkhun weighed in on parallels drawn with the case of the Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya. Wary of a legal quagmire, Prayut mentioned measures undertaken to expedite the process, though the outcome remains a guarded secret.
Thaksin’s story, however, is more than just courtroom battles. After 15 years of self-imposed exile, his return to Thailand was nothing short of dramatic. A Supreme Court ruling initially sentenced him to eight years behind bars, only for a royal pardon to reduce this to one year. And if the opening scenes were any indication, Thaksin’s first night in Bangkok Remand Prison, followed by a swift transfer to the Police General Hospital for a serious, yet undisclosed illness, was just the beginning of another chapter in this saga.
In the world of Thai politics, Thaksin Shinawatra’s narrative is not just a testament to the peaks and valleys of power but a glaring spotlight on the intricate dance between justice and political maneuvering. As this saga continues to unfold, one can only speculate on its next twist, making it a tale that captivates and confounds in equal measure.
