Thai court dismisses royal insult case against ex-premier Thaksin

A court in Thailand on Aug 22 dismissed a royal insult case against influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, clearing the first hurdle in a series of high-stakes court rulings involving the powerful Shinawatra political dynasty.

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BANGKOK - A court in Thailand on Aug 22 dismissed a royal insult case against influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, clearing the first hurdle in a series of high-stakes court rulings involving the powerful Shinawatra political dynasty.

The court said the case, brought by the royalist military and stemming from a 2015 Thaksin interview with foreign media, lacked sufficient evidence to prove that he had insulted the powerful monarchy — an offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

"Evidence from the plaintiff showed (that) the interview by the defendant did not defame, insult or threaten the King, therefore the defendant is not guilty," the criminal court in Bangkok said.

Wearing a yellow necktie, the colour associated with the palace, a smiling Thaksin announced the decision to reporters as he left the courthouse, where about 150 of his red-shirted supporters had gathered outside.