The Supreme Court has ruled that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence, rejecting claims that his hospital stay counted toward his term.
Thaksin, who returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in exile, was initially transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to Police General Hospital following complaints of chest pain. The court determined that this transfer violated regulations, as his conditions were not emergencies and could have been treated at the Medical Correctional Institution.
The ruling stated that Thaksin prolonged his hospital stay by citing non-urgent ailments, including shoulder and finger surgeries, instead of returning to prison. The court emphasized that his time in hospital could not be considered part of his sentence.
Thaksin is now required to serve his commuted one-year term, reduced from an eight-year sentence granted under royal clemency. Following the verdict, Thaksin said he accepted the decision and expressed gratitude for the royal pardon, while his daughter Paetongtarn praised his contributions to the nation.
Supreme Court Orders Thaksin to Serve One-Year Jail Term
