Latest news with #Winyat
Bangkok Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thaksin to hear lese-majeste ruling on Aug 22
The Criminal Court will rule on Aug 22 on the royal defamation case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his lawyer said on Wednesday. 'We are confident that we will receive justice,' Winyat Chartmontree told reporters, adding that Thaksin would be present to hear the ruling. Thaksin himself testified on Wednesday, along with two other defence witnesses, in the case that stemmed from an interview the former premier gave to a South Korean media outlet in 2015. Mr Winyat said after the hearing that the defence team had initially prepared 14 witnesses. They subsequently decided that the testimony given by three key witnesses was sufficient to support their case. In addition to Thaksin, the court heard from Wissanu Krea-ngam, a former deputy prime minister and legal expert; and Tongthong Chandrangsu, a former permanent secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister. The prosecution presented its witness testimony between July 1 and 3. The court had set aside more days for the defence but in the end Mr Winyat's team required only one day. Thaksin, who will turn 76 on July 26, stands accused of breaching Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law, as well as the Computer Crime Act, for comments made in the 2015 interview with the Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. A lese-majeste conviction carries a jail tern ranging from three to 15 years. Thaksin arrived at the court at 9.13am in a Mercedes-Benz. Dressed in a yellow necktie and dark suit, he was greeted by his lawyer before they entered the court via a restricted side entrance off-limits to media. The trial session was held behind closed doors, with a strict ban on discussion or dissemination of any news about what was said inside. A crowd of red shirt supporters gathered outside the court to show their support for Thaksin before his arrival. Former education minister Suchart Thada-damrongvech from the Yingluck Shinawatra government and Thaksin's brother-in-law and former prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, were among the crowd. Mr Somchai told reporters that he came to show his support to Thaksin in his capacity as a long-time supporter. He was not a witness in the case, but expressed confidence in the legal team's preparations. 'Thaksin's legal team has prepared evidence to fight the case. It's up to the court's discretion,' said Mr Somchai. Police from the Phahon Yothin station and court police were on hand to maintain peace and order. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile. He was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison on conflict of interest and abuse of power charges while in office from 2001-06 — later reduced to one year by a royal pardon. He was released on parole six months later, having spent the entire time in a VIP ward at Police General Hospital. That stay has become the subject of a separate court case prompted by complaints that his prison sentence was not properly carried out. The Thaksin case is the first in a series of challenges against him and his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose government hangs by a thread. Although Thaksin has no official role in government, he remains highly influential and is seen as the power behind the ruling Pheu Thai party, now besieged by a faltering economy, a border crisis and uncertainties arising from legal challenges. Prime Minister Paetongtarn was suspended from her duties in June over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide within a few weeks whether she will be banned from office permanently. Her coalition maintains a razor-thin majority after the exit of its second-largest partner, Bhumjaithai, over the phone call issue, with protesters calling for her resignation.
Bangkok Post
04-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Thaksin ‘not concerned' by hospital case
Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer says the former prime minister remains unconcerned about the ongoing court proceedings looking into his hospital stay, emphasising that the case is being handled according to legal procedures without political interference. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Friday held the second day of witness testimony in the case, which centres on whether Thaksin's treatment during his stay at the Police General Hospital from August 2023 to February 2024 complied with Department of Corrections regulations. Witnesses included doctors and nurses from Bangkok Remand Prison and the Correctional Hospital. Among the five people who testified was Dr Ruamthip Suphanan, the physician responsible for examining new inmates upon admission. Dr Ruamthip had previously received a warning from the Medical Council of Thailand for preemptively issuing a hospital transfer letter for Thaksin. The proceedings were observed by several high-profile figures, including Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party; Chanchai Issarasenarak, former Democrat MP; Somchai Sawaengkarn, a former senator; and Dr Tul Sittisomwong, a lecturer from Chulalongkorn University. Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, declined to reveal details of the testimony given, citing court instructions to protect the confidentiality of personal and medical information. Additional witness hearings have been scheduled for July 8, 15, 18 and 25. Mr Winyat confirmed that he had requested the court to limit public disclosure of case details, expressing concern that some earlier media reports could mislead the public during ongoing proceedings. He also proposed restricting courtroom attendance, though the court deemed such measures unnecessary at this stage. He added that public opinion could potentially influence witnesses, preventing the court from receiving accurate and complete information. Mr Winyat also noted that a full medical record for his client had been prepared for submission to the court, though the country of origin was withheld due to the personal nature of the treatment data. He reaffirmed that Thaksin was not worried, as the case continues to proceed within the framework of the law. Thaksin, 75, was sentenced to eight years in prison — later reduced to one year by a royal pardon — after returning to Thailand in August 2023. He never spent a single night in jail, and became eligible for parole after six months. Inmates are legally permitted to receive treatment outside prison for 120 days, but the Department of Corrections allowed him to continue his stay in a VIP room on the 14th floor of the police hospital for 180 days, saying that conditions in prison could threaten his life. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Dr Warong raised three key concerns. First, according to the witness testimony, the initial medical examination of Thaksin was reportedly performed primarily by an on-duty nurse, while the attending physician was unaware of what had taken place. Then, the transfer of Thaksin to the police hospital took about two hours, raising questions about why he was not sent directly to the Correctional Hospital, which would have taken no more than 10 minutes. The last concern was the decision to transfer him to the police hospital, a choice reportedly made by the on-duty nurse rather than higher medical authorities.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thaksin faces first witness hearings in lese majeste case
BANGKOK: The Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road held the first prosecution witness hearing on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) in a case where the public prosecutor has filed charges against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly insulting the monarchy under Section 112 of the Penal Code and violating the Computer Crime Act. The case stems from an interview Thaksin gave to South Korean media in 2015, in which he allegedly made remarks disrespecting the monarchy. Thaksin has denied the charges and has been granted bail. Thaksin's personal lawyer, Winyat Chatmontri, stated that the prosecution would present about three witnesses from the ten originally listed, with the trial expected to last three days. As the defence attorney, his role would be to cross-examine the witnesses. He explained that Thaksin was required to attend court today because the defendant had been granted temporary release and needed to appear in court. He added that it remained to be seen whether the Criminal Court would impose any specific conditions for the proceedings. When asked whether the defence would file a motion for a trial in absentia, Winyat replied that under the Criminal Procedure Code, the penalty for the charges in this case exceeds ten years, which likely excludes the possibility of such an exception. However, Thaksin wished to personally attend the trial. The entire case involves seven court hearings, with 14 defence witnesses. The first defence witness testimony is scheduled for July 15, followed by three more hearings. The prosecution will call ten witnesses, with the prosecution's hearings scheduled for July 1–3. All witness testimonies may be concluded before the seventh hearing, or the process could take the full seven hearings, with the final witness hearing set for July 23. When asked if the defence had concerns regarding the video clip of Thaksin's interview with South Korean media, Winyat confirmed that the defence had issues with the video and would challenge its credibility in court. The defence will present evidence on how the clip was obtained and question its reliability. Later, former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, arrived at the court and briefly stated that he was there to offer moral support to Thaksin as a fellow citizen. Somchai mentioned that Thaksin's lawyers had not listed him as a defence witness in this case, and it was the lawyers' responsibility to submit the names of the defence witnesses. At 9.18am, Thaksin arrived at the court in a Mercedes-Benz. He avoided using the main courthouse stairs and instead took the side elevator to avoid the large crowd of journalists and photographers waiting outside to cover the case. On this day, the Criminal Court held a closed hearing, prohibiting the public and media from entering the courtroom. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Criminal Court denies Thaksin's request to travel to Qatar
BANGKOK: The Criminal Court has denied former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pic) permission to travel to Qatar, despite an invitation from the ruler of the city-state, on Thursday (May 8). Thaksin reportedly travelled to the court in Bangkok's Chatuchak district using his black Rolls-Royce. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Thaksin then returned shortly after. Later that same evening, the Criminal Court denied the former Prime Minister's request to travel to Qatar, citing the matter as a personal appointment. According to the court, Thaksin, who is a defendant in a lese-majeste case, had received an email invitation to attend a dinner in Qatar on May 14. The event was said to be held in honour of US President Donald Trump and was described as a private invitation. The court noted that this invitation differed from a previous occasion, in which Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had invited Thaksin in his capacity as an adviser to the Asean chair. It further stated that the invitation lacked a clear and confirmed schedule and only indicated a possible opportunity for Thaksin to meet Trump and his economic team. In addition, the proposed travel period closely coincides with a scheduled court hearing at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. The court expressed concern that this trip might interfere with the judicial process. However, Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chatmontri, maintained that the ruler of Qatar had extended the invitation in Thaksin's capacity as an adviser to the Asean chair. Thaksin told the court that his purpose in seeking permission to travel abroad was not to attend a mere social event, but to contribute to society by sharing his knowledge and experience for the benefit of the nation and its people. He accepted the court's discretion in denying the travel request, acknowledging that the proposed departure date of May 14 was close to a scheduled court hearing concerning his treatment at the Police General Hospital on June 13, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. When asked whether the court's denial of Thaksin's travel request would affect Thailand's negotiations with the United States on economic matters and tariffs, Winyat said Thailand should aim to reach an agreement to mitigate the impact of US-imposed tariffs. As for whether a new petition would be submitted, Winyat said it was a matter for the future, depending on the course of action taken under the defendant's legal rights. Regarding the upcoming court hearing related to Thaksin's treatment at the Police General Hospital, Winyat explained that the session would examine whether Thaksin was genuinely unwell, or whether officials from any state agencies had facilitated or granted him undue privilege. He urged the public to consider the matter based on facts and evidence, saying, ' What we will present to the court is based on our right to explain—and we are willing and confident that we can do so.' Winyat further argued that the court should not intervene in Thaksin's case following the dismissal of a related petition by Democrat Party ex-MP Charnchai Israsenarak on April 30. He added that he might take the matter to the Constitutional Court to determine whether the court has jurisdiction in this case. However, he confirmed that he would provide explanations to the court and present arguments in response to Charnchai's petition. On the issue of the Medical Council of Thailand disciplining three doctors, Winyat said the resolution would be forwarded to the President of the Special Committee of the Medical Council, Somsak Thepsutin, who also serves as the Minister of Public Health, for further review and final approval. Nevertheless, he challenged any of the doctors involved to come forward and publicly confirm that Thaksin was not genuinely ill. Winyat declined to comment on whether Thaksin might have to return to prison, stating that such a decision rests with the judicial process. Regarding the hearing scheduled for June 13, he confirmed that the former Prime Minister is prepared to attend and is ready to undergo any legal penalties. He concluded by expressing his belief that Thaksin, having endured significant challenges over the past 10 years, is a strong individual who deeply cares for the nation and its people—and that he will overcome this as well. - The Nation/ANN
