Thailand royal defamation case: Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra indicted, granted bail

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was granted release on bail on Tuesday (June 18) hours after he wasindicted for defaming the country’s monarchy. Addressing a press conference,Prayuth Bejraguna, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, said that Thaksin, 74, reported himself to prosecutors on Tuesdaymorning and was indicted.

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A report by the news agency Associated Press said that a car believed to be carrying the former prime minister arrived at the Criminal Court in Bangkok but he did not come out to meet the media. Thaksin's lawyer told reportersthat he was ready to enter the judicial process.

The same car left the court a few hours later after Thaksin was granted bail, though he did not speak to reporters.

Bail approved with this condition

The Criminal Court said on Tuesday thatThaksin’s bail release was approved with a bond worth $13,000 (500,000 baht), under the condition that he cannottravel out of Thailand unless he receives permission from the court. The 74-year-old's passport has been confiscated.

The court later issued a statement listing several reasons for allowing him bail, including Thaksin's age, his having apermanent address in Thailand, and the lack of an objection from the prosecutor.

The consequences of defaming monarchy

The law on defaming the monarchy, an offence known as lese majeste, is punishable by three to 15 years in prison.It is among the harshest such laws globally and has been used increasingly in Thailand to punish government critics.

Thaksin served as Thailand's PM from 2001 until 2006 when he was ousted in an army coup that set off years of deep political polarisation.

His opponents, who were generally staunch royalists, had accused him of corruption, abuse of power and disrespecting the then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)