Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in jail, the country’s supreme court has ruled, in a major blow to one of the country’s most prominent and polarising politicians.
The court ruled that Thaksin had not properly served an eight-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power, which was handed down when he returned to the country from self-imposed exile in 2023. After arriving back in the country, Thaksin spent less than 24 hours in jail, but was moved to the VIP wing of a hospital on health grounds, where he stayed for six months before he was released on parole.
In its judgment, the supreme court found that the arrangement allowing Thaksin to stay at hospital was unlawful. “The defendant knows his sickness was not an urgent matter, and staying in hospital cannot count as a prison term,” said the ruling read out by a judge.
“The court will issue a jail warrant and an official from Bangkok Remand Prison will take him,” the judge said.
In a statement on social media, Thaksin, a towering figure in Thai politics, said he accepted the judgment. “From today on, even though I will lose my freedom, I will still have freedom of thought for the benefit of my country and its people,” he said.
The arrangement allowing Thaksin to stay in hospital was highly controversial at the time, with many questioning the seriousness of his health condition.
His return to Thailand coincided with his party Pheu Thai taking power, as part of an unlikely coalition with its old enemies in military-linked parties – fuelling speculation that he was receiving special treatment as part of a political deal.
Thaksin’s lawyer had insisted that the former leader was sick during his hospital stay, and that “he has completely served his sentence”.
Thaksin, 76, attended court on Tuesday, wearing a suit and yellow tie, the colour associated with Thailand’s powerful monarchy. He had suddenly left the country days earlier, prompting a frenzy of speculation that he might flee into exile once again. However he said in a statement he had gone abroad for a medical appointment.
Tuesday’s verdict is the last of several recent court cases affecting his embattled family, one of the most prominent dynasties in Thai politics.
His daughter Paetongatarn Shinawatra, who was removed from her position as prime minister last month, in another setback for the family, told reporters outside court: “My family and I are worried about him, but we are also proud of him. He did several historical things for the country, including through the policies he passed. Today is another historical moment. He will be the fist prime minister that has been sentenced to jail.”
Last month the constitutional court ousted Paetongtarn, saying she had violated ethical rules during her handling of a border dispute.
The supreme court examined Thaksin’s medical records and summoned 31 witnesses, including doctors who treated him, the former head of the corrections department, and the former commander of Bangkok Remand Prison.
Thaksin first came to power in 2001, and developed a strong support base among voters in the north of Thailand. However he was loathed by conservatives, and has been locked in a power struggle with the military royalist establishment for decades, resulting in military coups and countless court rulings ousting or banning politicians linked with his parties.
Thaksin had retained influence even after years in exile, but his popularity has declined since his return to Thailand. The deal he made with his old military rivals when he returned was seen as a betrayal of his support base, and his political clout has since waned.
After his daughter Paetongtarn’s removal from power, Thailand’s parliament appointed Anutin Charnvirakul, a staunch royalist, as prime minister – a result that has pushed Thaksin’s party Pheu Thai into opposition.
