Thailand’s Thaksin first hearing in royal insult case since release

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra attended his first hearing in a royal insult case at a criminal court in Bangkok on Monday, a day after being formally released under a King’s birthday amnesty.

Thaksin, surrounded by the media, arrived at the Criminal Court of Thailand with his legal team and paid respects to a portrait of Queen Mother Sirikit before entering the courtroom.

The charge, under the lese majeste law which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years per offence, was brought by the attorney general in June 2024 over comments Thaksin made during a 2015 interview with a Korean channel.

His lawyer stated that the next hearing is scheduled for July 2025, with a total of seven sessions set to take place before the verdict is reached.