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 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. But 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.
The case known as the '14th floor case' has attracted intense scrutiny and led to criticism from many Thais who feel that the rich and powerful are often given privileged treatment. Prior to Tuesday's ruling, many had been closely monitoring Thaksin's movements. Just last week, he flew to Dubai for medical treatment but returned for the court decision. He was accompanied by Paetongtarn, who expressed concern for her father but stated that the family was in good spirits.
Thaksin's case unfolds amid significant political turmoil in Thailand, marked by recent controversies involving his family and the Pheu Thai party, signaling changing fortunes for the Shinawatra clan as new political alliances form and challenge the established order.
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 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. But 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.
The case known as the '14th floor case' has attracted intense scrutiny and led to criticism from many Thais who feel that the rich and powerful are often given privileged treatment. Prior to Tuesday's ruling, many had been closely monitoring Thaksin's movements. Just last week, he flew to Dubai for medical treatment but returned for the court decision. He was accompanied by Paetongtarn, who expressed concern for her father but stated that the family was in good spirits.
Thaksin's case unfolds amid significant political turmoil in Thailand, marked by recent controversies involving his family and the Pheu Thai party, signaling changing fortunes for the Shinawatra clan as new political alliances form and challenge the established order.
