BANGKOK The Criminal Court has scheduled August 22 to deliver its verdict in the case where former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is accused of lese majeste following an interview with South Korean media in 2015.

His lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, told reporters that Thaksin would attend the court to hear the verdict at 10 am on August 22.

Winyat explained that the court set the hearing date after the defence team informed the court yesterday that they had presented enough testimony from defence witnesses.

The lawyer spoke to the media after the last defence witness hearing.

The defence presented the testimonies of three key witnesses: former deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Tongthong Chandransu, former permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office and Thaksin himself.

After these three witnesses gave their accounts, the defence team informed the court that although they had initially prepared 14 witnesses, they now wished to rest their case. The hearing concluded at noon.

The lese majeste charges against Thaksin stem from an interview he gave to South Korean media (Chosun Ilbo) in May 2015, during which he allegedly mentioned privy councillors and the 2014 military coup that ousted the Government of his younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court yesterday. His brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat, and a group of red-shirt supporters were also present to offer moral support.

After arriving, Thaksin avoided reporters by using a side entrance to the court building, where Winyat was waiting for him.

Winyat then escorted Thaksin inside without speaking to the media before the hearing. THE NATION/ANN