18-6-2024 (BANGKOK) In a nation grappling with deep-rooted political divisions, Thailand’s influential former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, narrowly avoided pre-trial detention on Tuesday, as the country’s criminal court granted him bail over allegations of insulting the monarchy. Simultaneously, the Constitutional Court set pivotal hearing dates for two high-profile cases involving the opposition Move Forward party and the incumbent prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, further intensifying the nation’s political turmoil.
Thaksin, a powerful backer of the largest party in the governing coalition, has long been a polarizing figure in Thai politics. His reprieve from pre-trial detention comes as a relief to his supporters, who fear the escalation of tensions between the conservative-royalist establishment and its opponents, such as the populist ruling Pheu Thai party and the Move Forward party.
The Constitutional Court, tasked with safeguarding the nation’s constitutional principles, has scheduled July 3 and July 10 as the next hearing dates for two cases that could have far-reaching consequences for Thailand’s political landscape. Srettha Thavisin, a political novice who took office last year, faces potential dismissal over a cabinet appointment, while the opposition Move Forward party, which won last year’s closely fought election but was unable to form a government, could be dissolved for its campaign to amend the royal insult law.
Both Srettha and the Move Forward party maintain their innocence, denying any wrongdoing in the matters under scrutiny. However, the legal battles have exacerbated the long-standing rift between the conservative-royalist establishment and its opponents, raising concerns about potential political instability and rattling financial markets.
In a separate ruling, the Constitutional Court upheld the legality of an ongoing selection process for a new upper house, paving the way for 200 new lawmakers to take over from a military-appointed senate later this year. This development has been viewed as a significant milestone in Thailand’s efforts to restore democratic norms after years of military intervention.
The high-stakes legal battles have cast a shadow over the nation’s political arena, with analysts warning of potential upheaval and unrest. Thailand’s main stock index, which plunged to its lowest level since November 2020 on Monday, briefly recovered more than 1% on Tuesday morning before trimming gains, reflecting the market’s uncertainty and vulnerability to political developments.
