Thailand’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Tuesday as the country’s Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to spend one year in jail.
According to CNN report, the ruling came after judges concluded that the 76-year-old ex-leader’s prolonged stay in a Bangkok hospital last year was unlawful and did not count as time served.
Thaksin, who led Thailand from 2001 until his ouster in a 2006 military coup, returned home in 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile.
Shortly after his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power, corruption, and conflict of interest.
But instead of a prison cell, Thaksin spent months in a luxury hospital suite, citing chest tightness, high blood pressure, and low oxygen levels.
That arrangement fueled public anger and claims of special treatment.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn later cut Thaksin’s sentence to one year, and he was paroled in February 2024 after serving only six months.
On Tuesday, however, the court ruled that his hospital time should not be counted toward his sentence, declaring that his health conditions could have been managed as an outpatient.
“The defendant benefited from remaining in the hospital without returning to custody at Bangkok Remand Prison,” the court stated.
Video from Reuters showed a convoy believed to be carrying Thaksin arriving at Bangkok Remand Prison shortly after the verdict.
The decision followed a June ruling by Thailand’s medical council, which suspended two doctors for issuing false documents that enabled Thaksin’s hospital stay.
A prison doctor was also cautioned for failing to meet proper medical standards.
Despite the setback, Thaksin struck a conciliatory tone on social media.
“Though I may lack physical freedom, I still have the freedom of thought for the benefit of the nation and people,” he wrote.
His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who briefly served as prime minister before being removed from office last month, told reporters that her father and family “remain in high spirits.”
Thaksin’s loyal supporters also gathered outside the court. Many wept, recalling his universal healthcare program, which had transformed lives in rural Thailand.
“Without him, my husband would never have received life-saving surgery,” said a 64-year-old supporter named Oy.
The verdict comes at a turbulent time for the Shinawatra dynasty, which has dominated Thai politics for more than two decades.
Thaksin, his sister Yingluck, and his daughter Paetongtarn have all led governments, only to be ousted by either the military or the courts. The family’s once unshakable grip on power now appears to be fading.
Last week, parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul, a veteran politician and former interior minister known for spearheading cannabis legalization, as Thailand’s new prime minister.
His rise marks a rare moment when the country is not led by either the military or a Shinawatra-aligned party.
Thaksin’s imprisonment represents both a personal fall from grace and a potential end to his family’s political dominance.
While he remains an influential figure, analysts say the latest ruling could weaken his dynasty’s appeal and reshape Thailand’s fractured political future.
Post Views: 2
