Ex-Thai PM Shinawatra Acquitted Of Royal Insult Charges, Faced Jail For Military Coup Remarks

Last Updated:August 22, 2025, 10:20 IST

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was relieved of all charges in the royal defamation case. King and his family are not allowed to be criticised in Thailand.

Thaksin Shinawatra defamation case: Ex-Thai PM acquitted (AFP image)

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted on Friday in a royal defamation case, easing a threat to his long-dominant political family.

The 76-year-old leader had been facing up to 15 years in prison under the country’s strict lese-majeste law, according to which criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the royal family is banned. A Bangkok court found him not guilty.

“The court dismissed the charges against Thaksin, ruling that the evidence presented was insufficient," news agency AFP quoted his lawyer Winyat Chatmontree as saying.

Thaksin walked out of the court before his lawyer and smiled, telling the reporters the case was “dismissed". He did not further issue any comment.

However, his political dynasty is still under pressure, as his daughter and current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a crucial court ruling next week that could remove her from office.

Thaksin’s Royal defamation case stems from the remarks he made nearly a decade ago in South Korean media relating to the 2014 military coup that dislodged his sister Yingluck from power.

More to follow…

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