Thaksin lese majeste cases all dropped

The Office of the Attorney-General yesterday dropped the last three lese majeste charges against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

It said there was no evidence to prove he had a grudge against the monarchy, even though his remarks were inappropriate and verged on lese majeste.

Director-General of the Criminal Litigation Department Sermkiat Woradit said the office found Mr Thaksin's comments to a gathering of taxi drivers at Hua Mark Stadium in December 2005 and a controversial reference to the King during a February 2006 radio speech to be impolite and inappropriate.

But his words could not be deemed as defamatory, insulting or as bearing a grudge against the King, he said.

The other case involved members of the Caravan of the Poor seen waving yellow flags at Mr Thaksin bearing the message ''Long Live the King,'' while wearing ''We Love Thaksin'' headbands shortly after the House had been dissolved.

Mr Sermkiat said there was insufficient evidence to prove Mr Thaksin had engineered the display.

The cases were brought by Karoon Chaikaeo, a citizen, in May last year. Mr Karoon filed the complaints with then national police chief Pol Gen Kowit Wattana, alleging that Mr Thaksin on several occasions had acted in a way that emulated His Majesty the King.

''I urge everyone, especially national leaders and administrators, to refer to the royal family with politeness and respect,'' said Mr Sermkiat.

''Offensive remarks verging on lese majeste will deepen social divisions and lead to confrontation.''

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Wednesday April 11, 2007