Legal twists for Thaksin

The sudden shift in law enforcement against Thaksin Shinawatra raises pressing questions about whether the justice system is being wielded for political purposes.

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What has raised eyebrows is a report on Monday that the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) will now pursue a lese majeste case against Thaksin, reversing its decision over two months ago to drop this serious charge against the former PM. It was reported that the OAG's new chief, Ittiporn Kaewthip, will appeal the previous decision to acquit Thaksin of lese majeste charges stemming from a 2015 interview with a South Korean newspaper.

These developments only add twists and turns to how Section 112 is being applied to Thaksin. On Aug 22, the Criminal Court acquitted him, ruling that the interview criticised the coup and military figures but did not imply any royal involvement. The court found the prosecution's evidence insufficient to prove Thaksin's guilt.