BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's attorney general is considering prosecuting convicted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra over an alleged insult of the powerful monarchy, an official said on Tuesday, just weeks away from his possible release on parole.
The lese-majeste law is among the world's strictest, with each perceived offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The influential Thaksin, prime minister from 2001-2006, made a dramatic homecoming last August from 15 years in self-imposed exile to serve an eight-year jail sentence for abuse of power, later commuted to one year by the king.
Prayut Petchkhun, spokesperson for the attorney-general's office, told reporters the seven-year delay in acting on the royal insults complaint was because Thaksin had been abroad.
Thailand current government is backed by the Shinawatra family, with Thaksin's return coinciding with ally and real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin becoming prime minister that same day.
Persons:
Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin's, Thaksin, Prayut Petchkhun, Prayut, Srettha Thavisin, Panu, Martin Petty
Organizations:
Thaksin
Locations:
BANGKOK, Thai, South Korea, Thailand