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Bangkok Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thaksin to hear lese-majeste ruling on Aug 22
The Criminal Court will rule on Aug 22 on the royal defamation case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his lawyer said on Wednesday. 'We are confident that we will receive justice,' Winyat Chartmontree told reporters, adding that Thaksin would be present to hear the ruling. Thaksin himself testified on Wednesday, along with two other defence witnesses, in the case that stemmed from an interview the former premier gave to a South Korean media outlet in 2015. Mr Winyat said after the hearing that the defence team had initially prepared 14 witnesses. They subsequently decided that the testimony given by three key witnesses was sufficient to support their case. In addition to Thaksin, the court heard from Wissanu Krea-ngam, a former deputy prime minister and legal expert; and Tongthong Chandrangsu, a former permanent secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister. The prosecution presented its witness testimony between July 1 and 3. The court had set aside more days for the defence but in the end Mr Winyat's team required only one day. Thaksin, who will turn 76 on July 26, stands accused of breaching Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law, as well as the Computer Crime Act, for comments made in the 2015 interview with the Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. A lese-majeste conviction carries a jail tern ranging from three to 15 years. Thaksin arrived at the court at 9.13am in a Mercedes-Benz. Dressed in a yellow necktie and dark suit, he was greeted by his lawyer before they entered the court via a restricted side entrance off-limits to media. The trial session was held behind closed doors, with a strict ban on discussion or dissemination of any news about what was said inside. A crowd of red shirt supporters gathered outside the court to show their support for Thaksin before his arrival. Former education minister Suchart Thada-damrongvech from the Yingluck Shinawatra government and Thaksin's brother-in-law and former prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, were among the crowd. Mr Somchai told reporters that he came to show his support to Thaksin in his capacity as a long-time supporter. He was not a witness in the case, but expressed confidence in the legal team's preparations. 'Thaksin's legal team has prepared evidence to fight the case. It's up to the court's discretion,' said Mr Somchai. Police from the Phahon Yothin station and court police were on hand to maintain peace and order. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile. He was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison on conflict of interest and abuse of power charges while in office from 2001-06 — later reduced to one year by a royal pardon. He was released on parole six months later, having spent the entire time in a VIP ward at Police General Hospital. That stay has become the subject of a separate court case prompted by complaints that his prison sentence was not properly carried out. The Thaksin case is the first in a series of challenges against him and his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose government hangs by a thread. Although Thaksin has no official role in government, he remains highly influential and is seen as the power behind the ruling Pheu Thai party, now besieged by a faltering economy, a border crisis and uncertainties arising from legal challenges. Prime Minister Paetongtarn was suspended from her duties in June over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide within a few weeks whether she will be banned from office permanently. Her coalition maintains a razor-thin majority after the exit of its second-largest partner, Bhumjaithai, over the phone call issue, with protesters calling for her resignation.
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thai police submit sedition case against Hun Sen to prosecutors
Find out what's new on ST website and app. It remains unclear whether Mr Hun Sen himself directly controls the account. BANGKOK - The Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Division 1 (CCID 1) has submitted a sedition case against former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to prosecutors, citing his alleged interference in Thailand's internal political affairs through social media. On July 14 , CCID 1 commander Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor handed over a 50-page case file to public prosecutors. The move follows a complaint filed by Mr Somkid Chueakong, deputy secretary-general to the Thai Prime Minister, who accused the Facebook account 'Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia' of violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code (sedition) and the Computer Crime Act. The complaint centres on the release of a 17-minute audio clip featuring a phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former leader Hun Sen. The complainant claims the post posed a threat to national security and may constitute multiple criminal offences. Mr Siriwat said investigators found the Facebook account in question to be managed by multiple administrators. However, it remains unclear whether Mr Hun Sen himself directly controls the account. He added that police decided to forward the case to prosecutors because the actions in question were 'deliberate and harmful in intent'. Meanwhile, Office of the Attorney-General spokesman Sakkasem Nisaiyok said that if sufficient evidence is found, the case will proceed to the criminal court. Should the accused fail to appear, the Thai authorities will seek arrest warrants through Interpol. Mr Sakkasem noted that no specific timeline can be given, as the case involves sensitive legal and diplomatic considerations and must be reviewed carefully.
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Teens rescued from Discord porn group
A man has been arrested for allegedly managing a group on a popular app that livestreamed underage girls in the nude for profit, in a high-profile crackdown in Roi Et province supervised by the Interior Ministry. Two teenage victims of human trafficking were rescued in the operation. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as interior minister, directed Interior Permanent Secretary Unsit Sampantarat to order the Department of Provincial Administration (Dopa) to initiate "Operation Discord Disconnected". The operation was led by Dopa Deputy Director-General Ronarong Tipsiri, Roi Et governor Chatchawan Benjasiriwong, and Roi Et provincial police commander Pol Maj Gen Phumwit Vetchakama. The team executed search and arrest warrants issued by the provincial court to apprehend the suspect, a young man, and search his residence in Thawatchaburi district. The investigation was launched after Dopa received reports from The Exodus Road foundation and the Scientia Program that underage girls were being exploited via livestreams on the Discord application, in what constituted a human trafficking operation involving the production and distribution of child pornography. Authorities seized several key pieces of evidence, including computers, mobile phones, passbooks, money transfer records, and other digital evidence indicating the systematic sexual exploitation of minors via the app. The suspect was charged with multiple offences, including human trafficking under the 2008 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; uploading obscene materials accessible to the public under the Computer Crime Act; and producing, possessing, distributing, or advertising child pornography. The suspect and evidence were handed over to police investigators at Thawatchaburi police station. During the operation, two female victims aged 16 and 17 were rescued. They will receive psychological rehabilitation and care at a children's shelter. A third victim -- a 14-year-old girl -- was also discovered during the arrest of the group administrator. She is being dealt with for rescue and support. The operation was supported by international partners, including the main investigative arm of the US Department of Homeland Security and Meta (formerly Facebook), which assisted in the investigation. Mr Ronarong warned of the increasing abuse of digital platforms for human trafficking. "In the digital era, technology is often misused to commit serious crimes, especially those involving online platforms that lure, deceive, or coerce children. These crimes gravely harm young victims and threaten social stability," he said.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thaksin attends second day of prosecution witness hearing in royal defamation case
BANGKOK: Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared at the Criminal Court for the second prosecution witness hearing related to a royal defamation case on Wednesday (July 2). He faces charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code (lese majeste) and the Computer Crime Act, stemming from a 2015 interview he gave to a South Korean television outlet in which he allegedly made remarks deemed insulting to the monarchy. Thaksin has denied all charges and has been released on bail. In the morning, Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, told reporters that today's session involved four prosecution witnesses, though he declined to reveal their identities. Defence witnesses are expected to begin testifying next week. When asked if he had spoken to Thaksin after the first day of hearings on July 1, Winyat confirmed they had discussed the testimony in his role as legal counsel, but insisted that no political topics were raised. He also affirmed that Thaksin intends to attend every court hearing until the case concludes. Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, was present at court once again to offer his support. Speaking briefly to reporters, Somchai said Thaksin remained unfazed by the case, as well as by the recent Constitutional Court order suspending former PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties. Somchai added that Paetongtarn had served the country and its people with full commitment during her time as Prime Minister. While he believed no harm had been done, the court's decision must be respectfully accepted. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thaksin faces first witness hearings in lese majeste case
BANGKOK: The Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road held the first prosecution witness hearing on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) in a case where the public prosecutor has filed charges against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly insulting the monarchy under Section 112 of the Penal Code and violating the Computer Crime Act. The case stems from an interview Thaksin gave to South Korean media in 2015, in which he allegedly made remarks disrespecting the monarchy. Thaksin has denied the charges and has been granted bail. Thaksin's personal lawyer, Winyat Chatmontri, stated that the prosecution would present about three witnesses from the ten originally listed, with the trial expected to last three days. As the defence attorney, his role would be to cross-examine the witnesses. He explained that Thaksin was required to attend court today because the defendant had been granted temporary release and needed to appear in court. He added that it remained to be seen whether the Criminal Court would impose any specific conditions for the proceedings. When asked whether the defence would file a motion for a trial in absentia, Winyat replied that under the Criminal Procedure Code, the penalty for the charges in this case exceeds ten years, which likely excludes the possibility of such an exception. However, Thaksin wished to personally attend the trial. The entire case involves seven court hearings, with 14 defence witnesses. The first defence witness testimony is scheduled for July 15, followed by three more hearings. The prosecution will call ten witnesses, with the prosecution's hearings scheduled for July 1–3. All witness testimonies may be concluded before the seventh hearing, or the process could take the full seven hearings, with the final witness hearing set for July 23. When asked if the defence had concerns regarding the video clip of Thaksin's interview with South Korean media, Winyat confirmed that the defence had issues with the video and would challenge its credibility in court. The defence will present evidence on how the clip was obtained and question its reliability. Later, former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, arrived at the court and briefly stated that he was there to offer moral support to Thaksin as a fellow citizen. Somchai mentioned that Thaksin's lawyers had not listed him as a defence witness in this case, and it was the lawyers' responsibility to submit the names of the defence witnesses. At 9.18am, Thaksin arrived at the court in a Mercedes-Benz. He avoided using the main courthouse stairs and instead took the side elevator to avoid the large crowd of journalists and photographers waiting outside to cover the case. On this day, the Criminal Court held a closed hearing, prohibiting the public and media from entering the courtroom. - The Nation/ANN
