Thaksin's lese-majeste verdict set for August 22nd
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a tense courtroom on Wednesday as the Criminal Court in Bangkok prepared to deliver its ruling on August 22, 2025, in a high-profile case that has been ongoing for several years. The case stems from comments Thaksin made in a 2015 interview with a South Korean media outlet, which have been alleged to breach Section 112 of the Criminal Code (the lese majeste law) and the Computer Crime Act.
Thaksin, who returned to Thailand in August 2023 after a 15-year self-imposed exile, arrived at the court in a Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday morning. Among the crowd supporting Thaksin were former education minister Suchart Thada-damrongvech and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law.
The trial session was held behind closed doors with a strict ban on discussion or dissemination of any news about what was said inside. The defence team prepared 14 witnesses for the case but decided that the testimony given by three key witnesses was sufficient. The prosecution presented its witness testimony between July 1 and 3.
In addition to Thaksin, the court heard from Wissanu Krea-ngam and Tongthong Chandrangsu. Somchai Wongsawat stated that he came to show his long-time support for Thaksin, but he was not a witness in the case.
The Thaksin case is the first in a series of challenges against him and his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. 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 Paetongtarn will be banned from office permanently.
If convicted, Thaksin could face up to 15 years in prison. A lese-majeste conviction carries a jail term ranging from three to 15 years. Thaksin served his one-year prison sentence in a VIP ward at Police General Hospital after he was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison on conflict of interest and abuse of power charges, later reduced to one year by a royal pardon.
Outside the court, a crowd of red shirt supporters gathered to show their support for Thaksin. Protesters have been calling for Paetongtarn's resignation, with her coalition maintaining a razor-thin majority after the exit of its second-largest partner, Bhumjaithai, over the phone call issue. Police from Phahon Yothin station and court police were present to maintain peace and order.
As of the latest available information, the outcome of the royal defamation case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has not yet been announced. The nation awaits the court's decision on August 22, 2025.
[1] BBC News, "Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Thailand after 15 years in exile", 2023. [2] Reuters, "Thaksin Shinawatra testifies in royal defamation case", 2025. [3] The Guardian, "Thailand court to rule on royal defamation case against Thaksin Shinawatra", 2025. [4] The Nation, "Thaksin Shinawatra faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted in royal defamation case", 2025.
The highly-anticipated ruling on the royal defamation case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, scheduled for August 22, 2025, is a significant event in the realm of crime and justice, drawing attention from various media outlets, including general news and politics. This trial, following Thaksin's return from a 15-year exile in 2023, is part of a series of challenges against Thaksin and his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who faced suspension over a leaked phone call. The outcome of this case could potentially impact policy and legislation regarding war and conflicts, given Thaksin's historical involvement in political turmoil.
