Overview

• Thaksin Shinawatra goes on trial next Tuesday for insulting the monarchy in a 2015 South Korean newspaper interview under Thailand’s lese-majeste laws.
• He faces up to 15 years in prison, with the trial scheduled to last three weeks and a verdict due at least a month after proceedings conclude.
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ruling coalition was cut to a slim majority by last week’s departure of the Bhumjaithai Party over a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
• Conservative senators have petitioned the Constitutional Court to suspend or remove her from office, citing disparaging remarks about a Thai army commander as evidence.
• Analysts warn that judicial maneuvers could amount to a ‘silent coup’ as Thailand’s prolonged contest between populist and royalist forces deepens under economic strain.