Thai prosecutors decided to formally charge former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a royal defamation case, creating fresh legal risk for the head of the political dynasty that controls the country’s ruling party.
Prosecutors said they have enough evidence to indict the 74-year-old former leader under the country’s lese majeste law that protects the country’s royal family from criticism. Thaksin will need to be physically present to hear the indictment, Prayut Bejraguna, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, told a news conference.
Thaksin, whose lawyer submitted a medical certificate showing he’s contracted COVID-19, was ordered to appear before prosecutors on June 18 to be taken to a court, Prayut said. He will be eligible to apply for a bail pending trial, Prayut said.