Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra Sentenced to One Year in Prison: A Decision that Shakes Thai Politics

Tue Oct 21 2025 02:01:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Thailand's Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in prison for corruption, impacting the country's political landscape.

In a significant ruling, Thailand's Supreme Court has mandated that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra serve a year in prison due to violations related to a previous corruption case. Thaksin, who has been central to Thai politics for over two decades, had previously spent less than a day in jail before being moved to a hospital for treatment. This decision adds to the political turmoil in Thailand, especially after the removal of his daughter from office. Thaksin's political career has been closely watched amid controversies surrounding the Shinawatra family's influence and legal troubles.

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra Sentenced to One Year in Prison: A Decision that Shakes Thai Politics

Thailand's top court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a year in jail, marking another blow to the influential political dynasty.

The decision pertains to a previous case where Thaksin was sentenced to several years for corruption but had served less than a day due to being transferred to a hospital. The Supreme Court confirmed that this transfer was unlawful.

Thaksin, who dominated Thailand's political scene since his election in 2001, released a statement expressing his enduring commitment to the country despite losing his physical freedom.

The ruling comes during a period of upheaval in Thai politics, with Thaksin's daughter recently removed from office following a leaked phone call. As political dynamics shift, many are questioning the balance of power within Thailand.

Thaksin, who had alleged health issues that kept him in a luxury hospital rather than jail, finds himself facing a challenging future as the political landscape in Thailand continues to evolve.