Paroled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on Saturday that he is ready to report to the Criminal Court to be formally indicted with lese majeste charge by the public prosecutors on June 18 as scheduled by the attorney-general.
He told the media that he is confident that he can defend the case, to prove that his prosecution is the product of toxic fruit from the military coup.
He said he is also confident that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will be able to defend himself against the demand by a group of 40 senators for his removal for alleged ethical misconduct over the appointment of Phichit Chuenban as PM’s Office minister, claiming that the move was politically motivated.
Thaksin’s public appearance in Pathum Thani province today was the first in ten days since he failed to show up at the Office of the Attorney-General on May 29 to acknowledge the lese majeste charge against him.
His lawyer claimed that Thaksin fell ill from COVID-19 and asked for the postponement of the indictment process.
The Attorney-General indicted him on charges of allegedly violating lese majeste laws during his interview with South Korean newspaper in Seoul 14 years ago and set the date for him to report on June 18.
Accompanied by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, leader of Pheu Thai party, Thaksin attended the ordination of the nephew of the mayor of Thanyaburi subdistrict.
Both of them are welcomed by many red-short supporters who are also attending the ordination ceremony.
The host of the ceremony organises a huge Chinese dinner, featuring 1,700 tables, for all the attendees.
Thaksin’s appearance in Pathum Thani was seen as a political move to shore up support for Charn Puangpet, a candidate of the Pheu Thai party, in the election of the mayor of Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization.
