Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Court on Monday, for a pre-trial hearing in a lèse majesté case relating to remarks he made in an interview with South Korean Chosun media in 2015.
A court official said that Thaksin must attend the hearing in person, to examine the evidence that has been presented to the court by both the prosecutor and the defendant.
The former prime minister is currently on 500,000 baht bail and is prohibited from leaving Thailand without the court’s permission.
As is usual for a high-profile case, additional Metropolitan Police resources will be assigned to the court, to support court police in maintaining public order.
Members of the media will not be allowed into the court room, but a nearby area will be made available for them. A press release is expected after the hearing.
