Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanitchakorn)
 

BANGKOK - The Thai Supreme Court has sentenced Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, to one year in prison for an unlawful medical leave process.

 

The decision was announced on 9th September at the Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in a high-profile case known publicly as the "Police Hospital Floor 14 Case." The court summoned Thaksin and the Bangkok Remand Prison Chief to deliver the decision.

 

The ruling requires Thaksin to serve his sentence without counting the period he spent receiving treatment at the Police General Hospital. This marks the start of a fresh prison term for Thaksin, who must now return to jail.

 

During the hearing, Thaksin appeared tense and was seen clutching his forehead. His daughters, Paetongtarn and Pintongta, present for support, also shared a similar look of concern.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-09-09

 

 

Wow!

 

So now there'll be an appeal process? And further Get Out of Jail cards to play, including air navigation matters ...

1 minute ago, mfd101 said:

So now there'll be an appeal process? And further Get Out of Jail cards to play, including air navigation matters ...

Lock him up. He already wriggled out of the first try. No bail, no appeal, like monopoly, "Go straight to jail". 

A troll post was removed. 

Apeals process will happen meanwhile warm up my jet engines 

Thaksin to Serve One Year Behind bars.

 

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and his daughter and former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, right, arrive at the Supreme Court in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Thailand's Supreme Court has declared that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra will serve a year in jail. This verdict marks a significant legal blow for the Shinawatra family, a powerful political force for over two decades.

 

The court ruling was clear: Thaksin's stay in a hospital instead of prison was unjustified. "The defendant knows his sickness was not an urgent matter," a judge stated, confirming that this hospital time won't count towards his prison term.

 

Police are set to take the 76-year-old billionaire into custody. He had yet to leave the courthouse, as reported by a Reuters journalist on the scene. This comes after his return to Thailand on 22 August 2023, ending more than 15 years of self-imposed exile.

 

Upon his return, Thaksin received a sentence of eight years for various charges, including abuse of power and conflict of interest stemming from his time as prime minister. However, royal mercy soon reduced this to a single year, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Initially, he was taken to Bangkok Remand Prison but was transferred to Police General Hospital 13 hours later, which raised eyebrows over the alleged special treatment. Thaksin remained hospitalised until early 2024, when he was paroled amid ongoing debates about the fairness of his treatment.

 

TThese developments are a notable chapter in Thaksin's long-running legal story and political career. The ruling underscores the continuing influence of legal proceedings on Thailand's political landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-09

 

 

I hope he goes through the normal strip search and squat to make sure he got nothing up his bum, 

Thaksin Jailed: Ex-PM Ordered to Serve One Year Over Hospital Scandal

 

Pictures courtesy of ประชาชาติธุรกิจ

 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been sentenced to serve one year in prison after a Supreme Court ruling. The decision follows a scandal involving his special stay at the Police General Hospital (PGH), which had sparked accusations of unfair treatment.

 

The legal saga began when former MP Chanchai Issarasenarak contested Thaksin's sentence enforcement. Following the court's verdict, Thaksin was immediately detained.

 

The court declared that his time in the hospital would not count towards his sentence and referred the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.

 

Thaksin returned to Thailand on 22nd August 2023 after 15 years in self-exile. Initially sentenced to eight years, his punishment was reduced to one year via royal clemency.

 

His stay at the PGH during his sentence raised eyebrows, prompting accusations of preferential treatment and sparking public outrage.

 

His immediate re-incarceration marks the end of a detailed probe into his case, including numerous hearings. Chanchai's petition initiated the case in January, accusing officials of improperly relocating Thaksin to the hospital against legal procedures. Testimonies from key figures, including former Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, played a crucial role in the court’s final ruling.

 

The political drama around Thaksin's return and hospitalisation has captivated the nation. He only spent 13 hours in Bangkok Remand Prison after his return, which sparked a debate about the legality and equality of enforcement. Despite the verdict, Thaksin's supporters, gathered in large numbers at the court, remain steadfast in their support for the embattled ex-leader.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-09

 

 

3 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I hope he goes through the normal strip search and squat to make sure he got nothing up his bum, 

Check his sleeves.......

Well you could knock me over with a feather at this time. No way I would predict this.I thought he was tipped off and all was okay for his return.

Now lets see if he (actually ) spends time in a jail cell. I'm thinking there's not enough room in the cell for both him and his ego! This is epic news (to me anyway)

 

 

Did not see that coming.......still only 1/8th of his original term.

 

Apparently, parole is no longer applicable and it would be extremely unusual to receive a second pardon from the king.

 

His only way out would appear to be another medical episode, which is really pushing his luck.

Karma

He will not serve one day in a prison cell.

37 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Wow!

 

So now there'll be an appeal process? And further Get Out of Jail cards to play, including air navigation matters ...

 

Is it even possible to appeal a verdict set by the supreme court?

Seems someone didn't get the memo - he arrived back expecting a decision in his favour, someone is now deep in the xxxx other than Thaksin. 

2 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Is it even possible to appeal a verdict set by the supreme court?

No—Thaksin cannot appeal the Supreme Court’s ruling. The decision handed down on September 9, 2025, by Thailand’s Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is final and unappealable

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

He will not serve one day in a prison cell.

think you would be wrong 

4 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

He will not serve one day in a prison cell.

The count of days / hours has started: "His immediate re-incarceration" 

Suprised I am, not expected, but I like it that at least he is convicted and will have a record..Wondering how they will lock him in..

time up.

 

i think Teflon Tony win't be slipping out of this one.

 

anyways..

1 minute ago, ikke1959 said:

Suprised I am, not expected, but I like it that at least he is convicted and will have a record..Wondering how they will lock him in..

he already had a record he was convicted when he first arrived 

2 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Suprised I am, not expected, but I like it that at least he is convicted and will have a record..Wondering how they will lock him in..

"Following the court's verdict, Thaksin was immediately detained"

 

 

Anyone tracked his jet this am?

35 minutes ago, ozz1 said:

Apeals process will happen meanwhile warm up my jet engines 

I believe I read he goes to jail today. Not sure about any appeals in this case but hey its Thailand.  Should make for interesting reading about the legal acrobatics over the next month. Well that is if the news follows it

16 minutes ago, jaideedave said:

Well you could knock me over with a feather at this time. No way I would predict this.I thought he was tipped off and all was okay for his return.

Now lets see if he (actually ) spends time in a jail cell. I'm thinking there's not enough room in the cell for both him and his ego! This is epic news (to me anyway)

 

In the unlikely event he does go to jail you can be sure he will have a private luxury cell with every convenience known to man...

1 minute ago, Dan O said:

I believe I read he goes to jail today. Not sure about any appeals in this case but hey its Thailand.  Should make for interesting reading about the legal acrobatics over the next month. Well that is if the news follows it

there is no appeals allowed 

OUCH 🤢

7 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

"Following the court's verdict, Thaksin was immediately detained"

I would like to see him in orange than

Does anyone know if he can apply for another royal pardon?

Sure! Is he really going to take one for team? 😂