Thailand's top court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a year in jail, in yet another blow to the influential political dynasty. The decision relates to a previous case where he was sentenced to years in prison for corruption, but ended up spending less than a day in a jail cell as he was moved to a hospital.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that this transfer was unlawful - and that the 76-year-old would have to serve his sentence in prison.
Thaksin and his family have dominated Thai politics since he was first elected PM in 2001. His daughter Paetongtarn previously served as leader but was removed from office last month over a leaked phone call.
Shortly after the ruling was announced, Thaksin released a statement on social media stating that even though I lose my physical freedom, I will still have freedom of thought for the benefit of my country and its people. He also vowed to maintain his strength to serve the monarchy, Thailand, and its people.
The former PM was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and spent years living in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai. When he returned to Thailand in 2023, he was promptly tried and found guilty of corruption and abuse of power during his time in office and sentenced to eight years in prison. However, Thaksin spent only hours in a jail cell before he complained of heart issues and was later moved to a luxury wing of Thailand's Police General Hospital.
Following his plea for a royal pardon, the Thai king commuted his sentence to one year. Thaksin stayed in hospital for six months, then received parole and moved to his home in Bangkok.
The handling of the 14th floor case has attracted intense scrutiny and led to criticism from many Thais who feel the rich and powerful are often given privileged treatment. Prior to Tuesday's ruling, many were closely monitoring Thaksin's movements.
Last week he flew out of Thailand in a private jet to Dubai for medical treatment, later confirming he intended to return for the court hearing. He arrived smiling at the court with his daughter Paetongtarn, donning a suit with a yellow tie, a color associated with Thailand's monarchy.
The ruling notably occurs amid considerable political upheaval in Thailand. The Shinawatra family faces challenging times, with Thaksin's daughter embroiled in controversy and the recent rise of new political leadership under PM Anutin Charnvirakul, who broke from the coalition previously led by Thaksin's Pheu Thai party.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that this transfer was unlawful - and that the 76-year-old would have to serve his sentence in prison.
Thaksin and his family have dominated Thai politics since he was first elected PM in 2001. His daughter Paetongtarn previously served as leader but was removed from office last month over a leaked phone call.
Shortly after the ruling was announced, Thaksin released a statement on social media stating that even though I lose my physical freedom, I will still have freedom of thought for the benefit of my country and its people. He also vowed to maintain his strength to serve the monarchy, Thailand, and its people.
The former PM was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and spent years living in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai. When he returned to Thailand in 2023, he was promptly tried and found guilty of corruption and abuse of power during his time in office and sentenced to eight years in prison. However, Thaksin spent only hours in a jail cell before he complained of heart issues and was later moved to a luxury wing of Thailand's Police General Hospital.
Following his plea for a royal pardon, the Thai king commuted his sentence to one year. Thaksin stayed in hospital for six months, then received parole and moved to his home in Bangkok.
The handling of the 14th floor case has attracted intense scrutiny and led to criticism from many Thais who feel the rich and powerful are often given privileged treatment. Prior to Tuesday's ruling, many were closely monitoring Thaksin's movements.
Last week he flew out of Thailand in a private jet to Dubai for medical treatment, later confirming he intended to return for the court hearing. He arrived smiling at the court with his daughter Paetongtarn, donning a suit with a yellow tie, a color associated with Thailand's monarchy.
The ruling notably occurs amid considerable political upheaval in Thailand. The Shinawatra family faces challenging times, with Thaksin's daughter embroiled in controversy and the recent rise of new political leadership under PM Anutin Charnvirakul, who broke from the coalition previously led by Thaksin's Pheu Thai party.
