Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been sent back to prison after the country’s Supreme Court ruled that his extended hospitalisation following his return from self-imposed exile was unjustified, Reuters reported.
The court found that both Thaksin and his doctors had colluded to avoid serving his sentence behind bars.
The 76-year-old billionaire and political powerbroker was returned to prison on Tuesday, marking the latest chapter in a turbulent political career that has dominated Thai politics for over two decades.
His re-incarceration comes amid a wave of political turmoil, just days after the collapse of the latest government led by his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Thaksin had returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years abroad and was sentenced to eight years for corruption and abuse of power during his 2001–2006 premiership.
The sentence was later commuted to one year by royal pardon. However, he spent only a few hours in prison before being moved to a hospital, citing heart issues and chest pain.
He remained there for six months until his release on parole.
The Supreme Court found that Thaksin’s hospital stay was unwarranted and that minor surgeries were performed to extend his time outside prison.
“The defendant knew the facts or was aware the situation was not a critical emergency.
“The defendant only had a chronic condition that could be treated as an outpatient and did not require hospitalisation,” the court said in its ruling.
According to Reuters, television footage showed Thaksin being escorted by corrections officers and arriving at a Bangkok jail shortly after the court’s decision.
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The images gripped the nation as yet another chapter closed for the Shinawatra family, which has produced six premiers either removed by coup or court order.
Despite the setback, Thaksin expressed no regret. “I may no longer have freedom, but have freedom of thought to create benefit for the country and people,” he said on social media.
He also stated that he was proud of his public service, noting his efforts to uplift living standards and shift the political landscape.
Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn, who was removed from office on August 29, was visibly emotional outside the court. “Me and my family are concerned,” she told reporters, adding, “This is quite heavy.”
Anutin Charnvirakul, the incoming prime minister and a former member of Thaksin’s party, expressed sympathy.
“I am saddened, I sympathise with him.
“For someone who has governed the country, I don’t want him to face something like this,” Anutin said.
Thaksin remains a divisive figure in Thailand. Once a police officer who became a telecom magnate, he won the loyalty of rural and working-class voters with populist policies such as cash handouts, healthcare reforms, and farm subsidies.
However, his rise angered Thailand’s conservative elite, including the military and judiciary, leading to repeated clashes and his eventual ousting in a 2006 coup.
Thaksin is the first former Thai prime minister to be jailed. Whether this signals the end of his political career or yet another chapter remains to be seen.
