Bangkok
Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence, overturning his previous hospital-based stay, which the court deemed unlawful. The 76-year-old was convicted of corruption and abuse of power during his tenure but had spent months in a luxury hospital wing citing heart problems, instead of serving time in jail. The ruling stems from the so-called “14th floor case,” named after the hospital floor where he stayed, and highlights public concerns over preferential treatment for the wealthy and powerful.
Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 military coup and long exiled, returned to Thailand in 2023, receiving an eight-year sentence that was later commuted by the king to one year. The court determined that his medical conditions could have been treated as an outpatient. Thaksin attended Tuesday’s hearing in Bangkok with his daughter Paetongtarn, who has previously led the Pheu Thai party but was recently removed from office amid controversy. He reassured supporters that “freedom of thought” would remain intact despite his imprisonment.
The decision underscores Thailand’s ongoing political turbulence, following frequent leadership changes, including the recent appointment of Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, and challenges facing the Shinawatra family and their party amid shifting alliances and ethical controversies.
