KUALA LUMPUR – Thailand’s Criminal Court has granted former prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra permission to travel to Malaysia, marking his first overseas trip since returning home in 2023. The court approved his request on Friday, requiring a 5 million baht cash surety to guarantee his return.
Thaksin, who will visit Malaysia from today to tomorrow, cited an official meeting as the purpose of his trip. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously appointed Thaksin as one of his informal advisers on Asean matters, as Malaysia holds the Asean chairmanship this year.
“I am going for a meeting, not for a vacation,” he told reporters after leaving the courthouse, the Bangkok Post reported. His lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, confirmed that Thaksin would be attending an Asean-related meeting in Malaysia, which holds the Asean chairmanship this year.
The court’s approval comes despite Thaksin facing ongoing legal battles in Thailand, including charges of lese-majeste and violations under the Computer Crime Act. His trial is set for July, with seven court sessions scheduled to hear testimony regarding comments he made in a 2015 interview in South Korea.
This is Thaksin’s first request to travel abroad since his return in August 2023, after 17 years in exile. Upon his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for graft and abuse of power, though a royal pardon reduced his sentence to one year.
He never spent a night behind bars, serving his time at the Police General Hospital before being granted parole in February last year.
The court justified its decision by citing “the benefits of international relations,” though it did not provide further details on the trip’s agenda, CNA reported.
Under Thai law, defendants awaiting trial are generally prohibited from leaving the country unless granted special permission.
Thaksin must report to authorities within three days of his return and notify the Immigration Bureau upon re-entering Thailand. – February 2, 2025