Thailand's Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Faces Trial Over Alleged Royal Insult Charges

Thaksin Shinawatra, a 74-year-old businessman and former prime minister of Thailand, is set to go on trial next month for allegedly insulting the monarchy under Thailand's lese-majeste law. The law, considered one of the strictest in the world, has been used extensively against political dissidents, with hundreds of people charged in the last four years alone. According to reports, Thaksin will be summoned to appear in court on June 18 to answer charges related to an interview he gave to foreign media in 2015. He denies any wrongdoing and has pledged loyalty to the crown. Additionally, Thaksin faces other charges under Thailand's computer crime law.