Thailand’s Supreme Court has ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a one-year prison sentence, overturning a controversial hospital stay that had replaced his initial detention. The ruling marks a significant legal and political development for the influential former leader.
The court determined that Thaksin’s six-month stay in a hospital VIP wing did not fulfill the terms of an eight-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power originally imposed in 2023. In its decision, the court stated that the arrangement was unlawful and did not constitute valid imprisonment. A judge confirmed that prison authorities would execute a new warrant for Thaksin’s detention.
Thaksin, who appeared in court wearing a yellow tie—a color symbolic of the Thai monarchy—accepted the verdict. In a social media statement, he affirmed that while he would lose his physical freedom, his commitment to the nation and its people would remain.
The hospital stay had drawn widespread scrutiny, with critics questioning the legitimacy of the medical justification. Thaksin’s return to Thailand in 2023 coincided with his Pheu Thai party forming a coalition government with former military rivals, fueling speculation of a political arrangement. His legal team had maintained that he was genuinely ill and had completed his sentence lawfully.
This verdict concludes a series of judicial proceedings affecting the Shinawatra family, a dominant force in Thai politics for decades. Last month, Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from her position as prime minister over an ethics violation. Speaking outside the courthouse, she expressed pride in her father’s legacy despite the family’s concern for his well-being.
Thaksin first rose to power in 2001, building a loyal base in northern Thailand while facing persistent opposition from conservative and military-aligned factions. His return from exile and subsequent political maneuvering, however, eroded much of his popular support. With his party now in opposition following the appointment of a new prime minister, the ruling underscores the ongoing volatility in Thailand’s political landscape.
