Thaksin attends Criminal Court for lese-majeste hearing

Bangkok Post

a day ago

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra showed up at the Criminal Court on Tuesday morning for the first hearing of prosecution witnesses in the lese-majeste case over his media interview in South Korea in 2015.
Thaksin arrived at the court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok at 9.18am in a bronze Mercedes Benz and avoided reporters by using a side elevator rather than the front staircase.
His brother-in-law and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat was present at the court to give him moral support. The court ordered the doors closed, barring the public and media.
Speaking briefly to reporters, Mr Somchai said he was at the court as a member of the public giving moral support to Thaksin.
Asked if he would be called as a defence witness, Mr Somchai said Thaksin's legal team had not put his name forward as a witness. (continues below)
The case stems from remarks Thaksin made in a 2015 interview with Chosun Ilbo in South Korea during which he alleged that privy councillors supported the coup that removed his younger sister, then-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, from power.
The interview was posted online, so he was also charged with computer crime in addition to lese majeste under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
Thaksin denied the charges and is free on bail.
Thaksin's lawyer Winyat Chartmontree said prosecutors planned to put three of their 10 listed witnesses in the stand during the three-day hearing.
As defence counsel he would cross-examine each witness, Mr Winyat said.
Asked if Thaksin was required to attend every hearing, he replied that his client was out on bail and was therefore obligated to appear in court. The Criminal Court may issue procedural guidelines, he added.
He also said a request for trial in absentia might be considered if necessary, but Thaksin currenly intended to be present throughout the proceedings.
Mr Winyat said a request for a trial in absentia was generally only applicable in cases where the maximum penalty did not exceed 10 years. Given that the charges in this case carry a higher sentence, the defendant may not qualify for that exception.
Thaksin had shown his intention to attend all hearings in person, he said.
The court has scheduled seven sessions for the herings - three for the plaintiff's 10 witnesses (July 1–3), and four for the defendant's 14 witnesses, beginning on July 15. The final hearing is scheduled for July 23, although proceedings may conclude earlier depending on the pace of the trial, Thaksin's lawyer said.