Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year jail term. The court declared his detention in a hospital’s VIP wing unlawful.
The judges said Thaksin, 76, was not seriously ill when admitted to hospital last year. They also ruled that his stay there could not be counted as time served. According to the verdict, Thaksin deliberately prolonged his hospitalisation to avoid prison.
On Tuesday, Thaksin appeared at the court. He removed his jacket before stepping into a corrections department van. Later, he posted on Facebook, saying he accepted the decision.
“Today, I may no longer have freedom, but I have freedom of thought to create benefit for the country and people,” he wrote.
A Blow to the Shinawatra Dynasty
The ruling adds to the political turmoil facing the Shinawatra family. On August 29, Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed as prime minister by a court. Her government collapsed soon after. Parliament then elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the new premier.
For Thaksin, this is a striking fall from power. He had returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and conflicts of interest. The king later reduced his sentence to one year.
However, Thaksin spent just a few hours in prison before being moved to hospital with chest pains. He was granted parole after six months, all of which he spent in the VIP wing. The move caused public anger and raised questions about double standards.
Thaksin’s Response
Despite the court’s ruling, his allies say he remains strong. Pheu Thai lawmaker Kokaew Pikulthong said Thaksin was ready to face any challenge.
The decision is a major blow to the Shinawatra family’s political influence. It also signals a new chapter in Thailand’s power struggle, one that Thaksin will now face from behind bars.
