Thai court orders Ex Prime Minister to serve one-year jail term

Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence, overturning his earlier transfer to a hospital, which judges declared unlawful.

The 76-year-old billionaire politician, once a dominant force in Thai politics, had previously been sentenced to eight years for corruption and abuse of power after his return from exile in 2023. However, he spent less than a day in jail before claiming health problems and being moved to a luxury hospital ward. The king later reduced his sentence to one year, and he was eventually released on parole.

On Tuesday, the court said Thaksin’s hospital stay—dubbed the “14th floor case”—was unjustified, noting that while he had chronic conditions, he was not in critical condition and could have been treated as an outpatient. The ruling reignited criticism over perceived preferential treatment for Thailand’s wealthy elite.

Thaksin appeared in court alongside his daughter Paetongtarn, greeting supporters in the Pheu Thai party’s signature red. After the ruling, he said on social media that though he had lost his physical freedom, he retained his freedom of thought for the good of the country. Paetongtarn admitted she was “worried” for her father but said the family remained in good spirits, pledging to continue their party’s work in opposition.

The decision comes amid political upheaval in Thailand. Last week, parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the new prime minister, the third leader in two years, after his Bhumjaithai party split from the Pheu Thai-led coalition. The Shinawatra family’s influence, once unshakable, now faces its toughest test as their dynasty struggles to remain relevant in a shifting political landscape.