August 22: Judgement day for Thaksin’s royal defamation case

The Criminal Court has set August 22 for the reading of its verdict in the case in which former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is accused of royal defamation, allegedly committed during an interview with South Korean media ten years ago.

Winyat Chartmontri, the lawyer representing Thaksin, told the media that Thaksin will attend court in person to hear the verdict at 10am on August 22.

Winyat said that the ruling date was set after the defence team informed the court, during a closed-door hearing, that it had presented sufficient testimony and was resting its case.

He was speaking after attending the session, at which Thaksin was present.

The three key defence witnesses were former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Tongthong Chandransu, former permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, and Thaksin himself.

The date will also mark the second anniversary of Thaksin’s return from self-imposed exile.

Earlier Thaksin entered the Criminal Court building through a side entrance, to avoid the waiting press. He arrived at 9.13am, wearing a suit with a yellow tie.

A crowd of red-shirt supporters had gathered outside the court to show their support.

Several politicians were also present, including Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech, former education minister, and Somchai Wongsawat, former prime minister and Thaksin’s brother-in-law.

Somchai told reporters he was there as a die-hard fan and expressed confidence that Thaksin’s legal team had thoroughly prepared the defence’s case.