Thailand's supreme court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in jail, ruling that he did not properly serve an eight-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power. The sentence was handed down when he returned from self-imposed exile in 2023, but he spent less than 24 hours in jail before being moved to a hospital VIP wing on health grounds. He stayed there for six months before being released on parole. The court found the hospital arrangement unlawful, stating his illness was not urgent and hospital stay could not count as prison time.
Thaksin accepted the judgment in a social media statement, saying he would lose his freedom but retain freedom of thought for the benefit of his country. The case is the latest in a string of legal setbacks for his family, one of Thailand's most prominent political dynasties. His daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed as prime minister last month for violating ethical rules in a border dispute.
The supreme court examined Thaksin's medical records and summoned 31 witnesses, including doctors and prison officials. Thaksin, 76, attended court wearing a suit and yellow tie. He had left the country days earlier for a medical appointment, sparking speculation he might flee exile again. The court issued a jail warrant, and an official from Bangkok Remand Prison took him into custody.
Thaksin first came to power in 2001 and built a strong support base in northern Thailand, but was loathed by conservatives. He has been locked in a power struggle with the military royalist establishment for decades. His return in 2023 coincided with his party Pheu Thai forming an unlikely coalition with military-linked parties, fuelling speculation of a political deal. That deal was seen as a betrayal by his supporters, and his political influence has since waned. After Paetongtarn's removal, parliament appointed royalist Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, pushing Pheu Thai into opposition.
