The Supreme Court of Thailand ruled on the 9th that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was sentenced to imprisonment for corruption and abuse of power, was not legally serving his sentence while staying in hospital prior to being granted parole, and must serve one year in prison for this.
This move not only weakens Thaksin's influence in Thai politics, but is also another major blow to the Pheu Thai Party after his daughter Paetongtarn was removed from the post of Prime Minister.
In 2006, Thaksin was ousted in a military coup and spent 15 years in exile overseas. When he returned to the country in August 2023, he was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power, and was then transferred to a police hospital due to poor health. However, after his return he was granted a royal pardon, reducing his sentence to one year.
However, on the night of his return, Thaksin was supposed to begin serving his sentence, but was transferred from the Bangkok remand prison to hospital citing "serious cardiopulmonary problems." He then received treatment in hospital for six months, until he was granted parole in February 2024.
The Supreme Court launched an investigation into the process earlier this year to confirm whether regulations were followed.