Thai Former Prime Minister Thaksin, Just Freed From Detention, May Still Face Royal Defamation Charge

Thai Former Prime Minister Thaksin, Just Freed From Detention, May Still Face Royal Defamation Charge
Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves a police hospital after being granted parole in Bangkok on Feb. 18, 2024. Thai News Pix/Tananchai Kaewsowattana via Reuters
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BANGKOK—Thai prosecutors said Monday that further investigation is needed to decide whether to bring former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to trial for defaming the monarchy, just a day after he was freed from a prison sentence on other charges he was serving in a hospital.

Mr. Thaksin was released on parole Sunday from the hospital in Bangkok where he spent six months serving time for corruption-related offenses. He had been in self-imposed exile since 2008, but returned to Thailand in August last year to begin serving an eight-year sentence.