Thailand’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra back to prison, ruling his year-long stay in a hospital was unjustified and amounted to evading jail, Reuters reported.
Thaksin, now 76, came back to Thailand in 2023 after spending 15 years in self-exile. When he arrived, he spent just a few hours in jail before being moved to a VIP hospital room because of chest pain. His eight-year sentence for abuse of power was reduced to one year by a royal pardon, and he was released on parole after six months.
However, the court said Thaksin’s «chronic condition could be treated as an outpatient» and accused him and his doctors of using «minor surgeries that were unnecessary» to prolong his stay.
Thaksin accepted the decision, writing: «I may no longer have freedom, but have freedom of thought to create benefit for the country and people.»
His daughter, ousted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was visibly emotional.
«My family and I are concerned. This is quite heavy,» she told reporters.
Incoming Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, once a Thaksin ally, said he was saddened by the outcome: «For someone who has governed the country, I don’t want him to face something like this.»
Despite the setback, analysts say Thaksin is unlikely to step away from politics entirely. Political scientist Titipol Phakdeewanich noted, «It doesn’t mean that he would completely withdraw… He’ll still likely play a role within Pheu Thai.»
This is the first time a former Thai prime minister has been sent back to prison after being on parole and in the hospital. It highlights that while the Shinawatra family’s influence in Thai politics is fading, it remains significant.
