Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s Section 112 Case: Further Investigation Ordered

National—

On February 19th, 2024, Mr. Prayut Phetkhun, the spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, addressed the case of the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on Section 112 of the Criminal Code for alleged offenses against the monarchy.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) handed Thaksin’s allegation over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Upon reviewing Thaksin’s plea for fairness, it was deemed necessary to conduct further investigation, leading to further summons for April 10th, 2024, to hear the case.

Prayut stated that on February 18th, 2024, Thaksin was released on parole under scrutiny by the Thai Department of Corrections.

Prayut added the prosecution order was issued regarding Section 112, the first since Thaksin’s return to Thailand. However, upon his return and notification of charges on January 17th, 2024, Thaksin submitted a plea for fairness, prompting a reevaluation by DSI, using his bank-certified book of accounts as collateral, containing 500,000 baht..

As a result, Thaksin will be required to appear in person on April 10th, 2024, to hear the verdict regarding whether the prosecution deems it appropriate to proceed with the case; to prosecute, not to prosecute, or to defer the hearing.

If further investigation is not complete by the designated date, Thaksin must still be informed of the outcome. If the prosecution order is issued on April 10th, Thaksin will be immediately brought to trial.

However, if no prosecution order is issued, the case will be considered closed at the highest level of the Attorney General’s Office, and further review by the Royal Thai Police will not be necessary, as Section 112 cases fall under the jurisdiction of the highest prosecutor’s office.