A Bangkok court cleared former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of royal defamation charges that had exposed him to possible jail time. The 76-year-old had faced up to 15 years in prison, but judges found him not guilty, removing a serious legal threat to his family's political movement. Prosecutors accused him of violating Thailand's lese majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and members of the royal family. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leads the Pheu Thai party and became prime minister last year. Public support for the Shinawatra family has declined, with opinion polls indicating waning political standing.
A Bangkok court on Friday cleared Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of royal defamation charges that saw him facing jail time. The 76-year-old faced up to 15 years in prison, but judges found him not guilty, easing a serious legal threat to his family's political movement. What were the charges against Thaksin? Prosecutors accused Thaksin of breaching Thailand's lese majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family.
Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who leads the Pheu Thai party, became prime minister last year. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, the Shinawatras' political star has since waned, with opinion polls showing declining public support. This is a developing news story that will be updated. Please refresh your browser for more.
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