Bangkok, September 9, 2025 — Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence, ending months of controversy over his previous hospital stay, which the court deemed an unlawful substitute for incarceration.
Hospital Stay Invalidated
Thaksin, 76, returned to Thailand in 2023 after more than a decade in self-imposed exile. Upon arrival, he was briefly jailed but quickly transferred to a private hospital, officially for health reasons. The move sparked accusations of favoritism and undermined public trust in the judicial system.
In its ruling, the court declared that his extended hospital stay could not be counted as prison time. Judges argued that Thaksin’s medical procedures were minor and did not justify such lenient treatment.
Acceptance of the Verdict
After the decision, Thaksin was taken into custody by corrections officers. Despite the gravity of the ruling, he struck a calm tone, acknowledging the judgment and declaring that while he had lost his physical freedom, he retained his “freedom of thought” to continue serving the country in spirit.
A Blow to the Shinawatra Dynasty
The ruling comes at a time of deep political upheaval. Only weeks ago, Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from her position as prime minister by the courts—the sixth Shinawatra-aligned leader to be ousted through legal or military means. Her downfall cleared the way for Anutin Charnvirakul to assume leadership, marking a shift away from Shinawatra dominance in Thai politics.
With Thaksin back behind bars and his daughter sidelined, analysts believe the family’s once-powerful influence over Thailand’s political landscape is in steep decline.
Legacy of Division
Thaksin has long been a polarizing figure. His populist policies endeared him to millions of rural and working-class Thais, while critics accused him of corruption, authoritarian tendencies, and undermining democratic institutions. Convicted in absentia for corruption in 2008, his eight-year sentence was previously commuted to one year. His attempt to avoid prison through prolonged hospitalization has now backfired, cementing his fall from grace.
What Comes Next
The decision is expected to reshape Thailand’s political trajectory:
- For Thaksin: His return to prison effectively ends any hopes of a political comeback.
- For Pheu Thai Party: The Shinawatra-backed party faces uncertainty without the family’s central leadership.
- For the Public: The ruling has divided opinion—some celebrate it as long-overdue justice, while others see it as another instance of selective enforcement against a popular leader.
As Thaksin begins his sentence, Thailand faces yet another chapter of political instability, with the once-mighty Shinawatra dynasty now weakened more than ever.
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