BANGKOK – Thailand’s Supreme Court has sentenced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to a year in prison, putting a spotlight on one of the nation’s most influential political families.
The court ruling, delivered on 9 September, follows a heated debate over Thaksin Shinawatra’s six-month stay at a hospital, which judges determined was used to avoid proper jail time.
This decision sent Thaksin to Bangkok Remand Prison and reopened discussions on privilege, fairness, and the future of the Shinawatra family, which has shaped Thai politics for over twenty years.
Thaksin Shinawatra, once a leading telecom entrepreneur and prime minister from 2001 to 2006, made his long-awaited return to Thailand in August 2023 after spending 15 years in self-exile in Dubai. On his return, he received an eight-year sentence over charges of corruption, abuse of power, and conflicts of interest related to his time leading the country.
HRH King Maha Vajiralongkorn later reduced this to one year. Just hours after his detention, Thaksin was transferred from prison to a private ward at Police General Hospital. Medical staff cited heart issues, high blood pressure, and low blood oxygen as reasons.
This incident, often called the “14th floor case” after the hospital ward, drew strong criticism. Many believed it served as a way for Thaksin to avoid serving his sentence like other inmates.
A Supreme Court probe started on 30 April 2025, looking into the nature and necessity of Thaksin’s hospital stay. Over 30 witnesses, including medical staff and senior corrections officers, were called to explain the transfer. On Tuesday, the court found that Thaksin’s health was not so serious as to warrant a hospital stay.
Judges highlighted that his condition did not require immediate attention and that he could have been treated as an outpatient at the Medical Correctional Institution, which sits only 200 metres from the prison.
Medical records showed that a cardiologist did not see Thaksin Shinawatra until long after he was admitted. The court pointed out that the prison’s medical facility could handle his complaints. In the end, the court ruled that the hospital period would not count towards his sentence, so Thaksin must now serve the full year in jail.
Political Experts React
Many political observers see the verdict as a heavy blow to the Shinawatra family’s clout, which has already faded amid recent political turmoil. Titipol Phakdeewanich, who teaches politics at Ubon Ratchathani University, said that Thaksin’s influence may be reduced, but it’s unlikely he will disappear from politics.
He noted that Thaksin Shinawatra still holds a place within the Pheu Thai party and that further legal action to cut his sentence is possible. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, who lectures at Chulalongkorn University, shared with CNA’s Asia Now that Thaksin’s “moral standing has suffered,” which could make Thailand less attractive to investors. Still, he suggested that legal loopholes may keep the former leader behind bars for less than a year.
Isra Sunthornvut, who heads Vriens & Partners’ branch in Thailand, suggested the sentence could wind up helping Thaksin’s image. According to Isra, with Thaksin behind bars, the long-running opposition to him might lose steam, changing how some people view him.
These opinions highlight the tension between Thaksin’s lasting appeal and the difficulties his Pheu Thai party now faces. The party recently lost its grip on power when parliament selected Anutin Charnvirakul from Bhumjaithai as prime minister.
Reactions From the Public and Thaksin’s Supporters
The court’s decision split public opinion, reflecting Thaksin’s mixed legacy. Many citizens, especially critics of Thailand’s elite, voiced anger online and in person. They cited the “14th floor case” as another example of the wealthy receiving special treatment. A report by the Medical Council of Thailand found that hospital staff had helped extend Thaksin’s time outside prison, fuelling more outrage.
Supporters, many from rural areas that benefitted from Thaksin’s healthcare and subsidy programmes, rallied outside the court on Tuesday. Wearing red shirts with Thaksin’s picture, they gathered to show support, believing he had been unfairly targeted for his political views.
Kokaew Pikulthong, a member of the Pheu Thai party, told journalists that Thaksin is still determined and willingly came from Dubai for the hearing. Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also spoke after the verdict. She had been removed as prime minister on 29 August following a breach of ethics.
Paetongtarn reassured supporters that the family is holding up well and stressed her father’s role in shaping the country. She pointed out that he is the first former prime minister in Thai history to serve time in prison.
Thaksin Shinawatra responded to the verdict on social media, saying that although he had lost his freedom, he still had the drive to do good for Thailand and its people. He thanked the King for reducing his original sentence and promised to stay strong.
Thaksin Shinawatra’s Next Steps
Thaksin Shinawatra now faces a year at Bangkok Remand Prison. Corrections staff escorted him there soon after the ruling. Political insiders think his lawyers might seek parole or another reduction in his sentence. His brief stop in Dubai earlier this week, just before his return to court, raised suspicions about a possible second exile, but his return shows he wants to keep his place in Thai affairs.
Thailand’s political future looks unpredictable. Pheu Thai, now in opposition, has lost ground, especially after the Move Forward Party was dissolved in 2023 and Anutin Charnvirakul’s new government gained traction.
Paetongtarn has promised to rebuild the party, but her removal and her father’s jail term present real problems. Anutin’s promise to hold elections within months adds more uncertainty. Depending on outcomes, Thaksin’s imprisonment could spark more support for him or hasten his political decline.
Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to a prison cell marks a new chapter in a career marked by coups, exile, and court cases. Whether this signals a final ending or a later comeback for the Shinawatra family remains open. For now, all eyes are on one of Thailand’s most prominent political players as he faces the consequences of a long-running saga, with the nation awaiting what comes next.
