Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was indicted and arraigned on a charge of defaming the country's monarchy, a case that has stirred political tensions in Thailand. Thaksin, who is considered the driving force behind the ruling Pheu Thai party, was granted bail after reporting himself to prosecutors.
Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand last year from self-imposed exile and served most of his corruption-related sentence in a hospital due to medical reasons. Since his release on parole in February, he has been actively engaging in public appearances and political commentary, raising concerns among the conservative establishment that led to his ouster in 2006.
