A Bangkok court on Friday cleared Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of royal defamation charges that saw him facing jail time.

The 76-year-old faced up to 15 years in prison, but judges found him not guilty, easing a serious legal threat to his family's political movement.

What were the charges against Thaksin?

Prosecutors accused Thaksin of breaching Thailand's lese majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family.

The law, among the world's harshest, carries penalties of three to 15 years in prison for each offense. The charges stemmed from remarks made in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.

He had commented on the 2014 coup that removed his sister Yingluck Shinawatra from power. Prosecutors argued that the remarks amounted to defamation of the monarchy.

Thaksin's legal team rejected the allegations, saying his comments had been misinterpreted. The Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that the evidence was insufficient to convict.

Why does the verdict matter?

The ruling is considered unusual, as acquittals in lese majeste cases are rare in Thailand. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will appeal.

Thaksin appeared briefly outside the court after the ruling, smiling and telling reporters the case was "dismissed" but offered no further comment.

The verdict relieves one of the most serious legal threats facing Thaksin, who remains a central figure in Thai politics. His political dynasty has shaped Thailand's modern political landscape for more than 20 years.

Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who leads the Pheu Thai party, became prime minister last year.

However, the Shinawatras' political star has since waned, with opinion polls showing declining public support.

What is Thailand's lese majeste law?

The country's lese majeste law is contained in Section 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code.

The provision makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent. The law prescribes prison terms of three to 15 years for each offense.

Unlike in many countries, even indirect criticism of the monarchy can trigger charges. Courts often apply the law strictly, leading to long sentences. Human rights groups have long criticized its broad application and lengthy prison tariffs.

Edited by Louis Oelofse