Former Thai PM Thaksin Acquitted of Lèse-Majesté Charges

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted by a Bangkok Criminal Court of lese majeste and Computer Crimes Act charges related to alleged royal defamation, ending a decade-long legal battle and averting a potential 15-year prison sentence. The charges stemmed from comments Thaksin made during a 2015 interview in South Korea, which prosecutors claimed insulted the monarchy, though Thaksin consistently denied them. His acquittal marks a significant legal victory amidst ongoing political tensions between Thaksin's populist faction and the traditional pro-royalist, pro-military elite. Despite this ruling, Thaksin’s political dynasty remains vulnerable as his daughter, current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, faces a critical Constitutional Court decision that could impact her tenure. The case drew intense media and security attention in Bangkok, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding Thailand's strict lese majeste laws. Thaksin's return to Thailand in 2023 and subsequent legal challenges continue to highlight the deep divisions in the country's political landscape.