BANGKOK – Thailand’s Criminal Court has denied former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s request to leave the country to attend the ASEAN meeting in Indonesia on March 7, following an invitation from the Indonesian president.
Thaksin, who is currently facing legal proceedings under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, also known as the lese-majeste law, had submitted his request to the court on March 6. If approved, he would have been required to post bail and adhere to specific legal conditions before traveling.
However, after reviewing the request, the court ruled at 3 PM that there was insufficient justification to allow Thaksin to leave the country. This decision comes despite the court previously granting him permission to visit Malaysia in January for a meeting, under the condition of a 5-million-baht (S$197,000) bail and a requirement to return within three days. Additionally, in February, he was allowed to attend an ASEAN meeting in Brunei but was barred from visiting Vietnam and Cambodia.
Thaksin has been informally appointed as an adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in preparation for Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024, during a press conference in Putrajaya, where Anwar was joined by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter. Anwar highlighted that Thaksin’s experience as a former leader would offer valuable insights on ASEAN-related matters.
Despite his years in exile and ongoing legal challenges, Thaksin continues to play a significant role in regional politics. His advisory position is seen as a strategic move, particularly concerning complex diplomatic issues such as the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, which remains a priority for ASEAN.