Just got out of custody

Lèse majesté? Former prime minister back in focus

One day after the early release from prison of Thailand's former head of government Thaksin Shinawatra, the public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation against him for alleged lèse majesté. The attorney general has now authorized "further investigations" into the allegations that the 74-year-old Thaksin violated the law against lèse majesté by making statements in South Korea in 2015, a spokesman for the prosecution said on Monday.

Thaksin must therefore appear in court in April, where criminal proceedings may be announced. According to those present, the former head of government, who is in poor health, attended the meeting in the attorney general's office in a wheelchair and spoke in a barely audible voice. Bail was set at 500,000 baht (around 13,000 euros).

One of the strictest laws
The Thai law against lèse majesté is considered one of the strictest in the world and punishes insults to Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family with up to 15 years in prison.

15 years in exile, then imprisonment
On Sunday, Thaksin was released early on parole from an eight-year prison sentence for corruption and abuse of power, which he was sentenced to last August immediately after his return from a 15-year exile. The controversial billionaire may have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet or comply with travel restrictions.

Thaksin ruled Thailand from 2001 until a military coup in 2006. As an opponent of the royalist establishment in Thailand, the media entrepreneur still exerts great influence on politics in the kingdom.