Bangkok: “Thaksin” came to court to testify in the case of being sued under Section 112 and the Computer Crimes Act. The Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing for the defendant’s witnesses in the case in which ‘Thaksin’ was charged under Section 112 and the Computer Crimes Act for his interview with a South Korean media outlet in 2015.

According to Thai News Agency, today, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road has scheduled a hearing for the defendant’s witnesses in Case No. A.1860/2567, in which former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been sued by the Office of the Attorney General 8 for violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crimes Act B.E. 2550, in connection with an interview he gave to a South Korean media outlet in 2015. In the area surrounding the Criminal Court building, a group of red-shirt supporters have set up camp to send their support to Thaksin. In addition, important politicians have also arrived at the Criminal Court to offer their support to Thaksin, such as Suchart Thadathamrongwet, former Minister of Education during the government of Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra.

Similarly, former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat traveled to the Criminal Court and told reporters that he came to support Thaksin today as a loyal fan. He said that he was not a witness for Thaksin’s defense, but had a team of lawyers who had prepared evidence to fight the case to the fullest. It was up to the court’s discretion to decide how to proceed. As for whether Thaksin’s daughter would come to support him today, Somchai said that he did not know. However, what was certain was that there were already supporters and people around Thaksin.

Meanwhile, police officers from Phahonyothin Police Station, together with court police officers, have spread out to maintain security in the area surrounding the Criminal Court.

Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court at approximately 9:13 a.m. in a black and silver Mercedes-Maybach, which was parked at the side entrance of the Criminal Court building. He was wearing a yellow suit and tie and arrived alone. Winyat Chatmontri, Thaksin’s personal lawyer, greeted him before the pair walked up the stairs to the side entrance of the Criminal Court building. However, this area is off-limits to the media and media were not allowed to record images of the area.

The trial will last all day and will be held in secret.