Thai Supreme Court Orders Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra To Serve One-Year Prison Sentence

Last Updated:September 09, 2025, 10:26 IST

Thaksin, 76, was sentenced to eight years for corruption and abuse of power after returning from exile, but he never spent a day in prison due to a royal pardon.

Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra. (AP)

Thailand’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a one-year prison term, after noting that his 2023 prison term was incorrectly served.

Thaksin, 76, was sentenced to eight years for corruption and abuse of power after returning to the country in August 2023 following years spent living in exile. However, his sentence was reduced to one year by royal pardon and he was freed in an early release scheme for elderly prisoners.

The court ordered the issuance of a warrant to take Thaksin to Bangkok Remand Prison to begin serving a one-year prison term. “Sending him to the hospital was not legal, the defendant knows his sickness was not an urgent matter, and staying in the hospital cannot count as a prison term,” it said.

Thakin arrived in Thailand on Monday after he left unannounced last week, prompting frenzied speculation that he had fled into exile to avoid possible jail amid a scramble for power. His departure came amid a political crisis after his daughter Paetongtarn was sacked from the PM post, and his Pheu Thai party lost a vote to a rival party.

Shinawatra’s political clan has for two decades been the key foe of Thailand’s pro-military, pro-royalty elite, who view their populist brand as a threat to traditional social order. However, the dynasty’s momentum is flagging after a litany of legal and political setbacks, most notably with Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ouster.

“My father remains a spiritual leader — whether through his past political role, his contributions to the country, or his sincere intention to be part of improving the lives of the people,” said Paetongtarn outside the court on Tuesday.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

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