Former Thai PM Thaksin acquitted in royal insult case

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been acquitted of a lese majeste (royal insult) charge stemming from an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper several years ago. The charge, which carried a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, was related to comments Thaksin made about the Thai monarchy during the interview. The court ruled that Thaksin's statements did not constitute a violation of Thailand's strict lese majeste laws, which prohibit any criticism or perceived insult of the royal family. This decision marks a significant victory for Thaksin, who has faced numerous legal challenges and political turmoil since being ousted from power in a 2006 military coup. The case had been closely watched, as lese majeste charges are often used as a tool to silence political opponents in Thailand. The acquittal is seen as a positive step towards greater political and judicial independence in the country.