Picture courtesy of CNA | AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha

 

In a significant turn of events, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been moved to the medical wing of Bangkok's Klong Prem prison. This shift, confirmed by a corrections department official, is due to his age and ongoing health issues. After a Supreme Court ruling, Thaksin, 76, was ordered to serve a one-year term following a breach in serving a prior 2023 sentence in a hospital suite instead of a prison cell.

 

Thaksin, a widely recognised figure in Thai politics and business, remains a contentious personality. Having led one of Thailand's wealthiest families, his political dynasty has long grappled with the country's pro-monarchy and military establishments. This comes after his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was recently dismissed from her role as prime minister by court order, leaving Thaksin to serve his sentence.

 

A source revealed that Thaksin was relocated for his health and age but did not specify if he was undergoing treatment. After a mandatory quarantine, his family, including his daughter and former premier Paetongtarn, visited him, observing that while he had some blood pressure issues, he was generally in excellent spirits.

 

Regulations for prisoners required that Thaksin's hair be shaved, but otherwise, Paetongtarn reported him to be doing well given the circumstances.

 

Thaksin's political career saw him become prime minister in 2001 and 2005, only to be cut short when he went into exile after a military coup. The return in August 2023 resulted in an eight-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power. Initially, he avoided prison time by staying in a hospital room, before a royal pardon reduced his sentence to one year. Now, he serves his term within the prison system, amid discussions of early release schemes for elderly inmates.

 

Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, stated that no application has been made for Thaksin to serve his sentence outside prison yet. Protocols dictate a mandatory period of incarceration before such requests are considered. He further noted that Thaksin has not asked for any special privileges or room arrangements, clearly indicating his compliance with prison regulations.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Thaksin Shinawatra has been transferred to a prison hospital wing due to chronic health concerns and age.
• He was sentenced to serve a year for breaching initial sentence conditions and has not received preferential treatment.
• Family visits confirm Thaksin is in good health, with ongoing discussions around his sentence status.

Related Stories:

 

Thaksin Shinawatra Receives Family Visit in Prison

Thaksin Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison Over Hospital Leave Case

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNA 2025-09-17

 

 

Here we go again,part two.

patients have white coat phobia, thaksin has orange overall phobia... 

20 minutes ago, theshu25 said:

Here we go again,part two.

Right.Im not surprised if he is out of prison soon and serving his sentence at his home.

Of course he did... So predictable! 😆 

Absolutely no surprise. Not even a 🙄 emoji needed. 

The timing of this move seems quite obvious. The day after his family visits. PRobably carrying a very large envelope with them. 

Prison systems are set up that when someone enters with a health issue the are automatically sent to the medical ward in the prison. They do not wait a few days to do this. While in quarantine he was assessed, or should have been and then assigned his place in the prison. They do not move you to the general population and then in a day or 2 or 3 move you to the medical side. 

So something is up with this move. 

This is a little confusing.

Punished for serving in the hospital before with another term in the hospital?

28 minutes ago, thesetat said:

The timing of this move seems quite obvious. The day after his family visits. PRobably carrying a very large envelope with them. 

TIT.  it was plan from the beginning. the most egregious aspect is they expect the Thai mass to buy all this childish charade and pretend nothing out of the ordinary is taking place right under their noses.

33 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This is a little confusing.

Punished for serving in the hospital before with another term in the hospital?

It is ironic. I misread part of the article as being in the hospital for chronic wealth....

1 hour ago, Pouatchee said:

patients have white coat phobia, thaksin has orange overall phobia... 

... and he doesn't like metalbars in doors that are  locked.

Rest up P'Thaksin, get well soon.

does he need help taking a pill for BP or is it the floor he shares with 20 other inmates he doesn't like

All part of yet another deal. 

How many times has Thaksin been hospitalized since moving out of the police general hospital?  Correct, zero.  Surely a tablet a day is the answer not the prison hospital.  How many elderly prisoners with high BP are relocated to the hospital wing?  Very few if any I'd say.

 

Yes, we can all see this coming, an early release or serve time at home where his health issues will be solved.

 

 

Wow that didnt take long he is being transfered for wealth not health pass me my neck brace please 

Cynically, were he to die whilst in prison, there are those who would insist that his corpse was embalmed and kept in a cell until he had completed the sentence!

And we're all watching with endless fascination.

5 minutes ago, JAG said:

Cynically, were he to die whilst in prison, there are those who would insist that his corpse was embalmed and kept in a cell until he had completed the sentence!

So many eye diagnosis experts who know that a 76 yr old can't be sick. 76 just short of 79 🙄

It was only a matter of time he will be released soon on health grounds 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In a significant turn of events, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been moved to the medical wing of Bangkok's Klong Prem prison. This shift, confirmed by a corrections department official, is due to his age and ongoing health issues.

Here we go, days before the verdict he was fine to jet over to Dubai... now he's ailing and needs medical care.

Disgusting.

So how many days did he spend in actual prison????    5 days?

His daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on September 15, 2025, that "his health is good" overall, but the move to Klong Prem Prison's medical wing was precautionary due to these factors, with no reports of acute or life-threatening problems.

 

So he's not ill as such?   I am sure everyone gets the same treatment???😄

25 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

So many eye diagnosis experts who know that a 76 yr old can't be sick. 76 just short of 79 🙄

I just turned 76 on Monday.  It ain't no fun.

Deja vous

But didn't his family, having just visited him, report that he is in good health ?????

4 hours ago, BayArea said:

TIT.  it was plan from the beginning. the most egregious aspect is they expect the Thai mass to buy all this childish charade and pretend nothing out of the ordinary is taking place right under their noses.

That's because nothing out of the ordinary is occurring! 

8 minutes ago, MrMo said:

But didn't his family, having just visited him, report that he is in good health ?????

That headache must be getting worse.

Can we conclude, from this article, that ALL prisoners in their mid-70s and older, with illnesses of similar severity to Thaksin, will serve their time in a prison hospital? I wouldn't bet much on it.

its amazing how he made a full recovery from his imaginary illness last time and ever since he was released has been in perfect health and manipulating Thai politics now back in hospital ward again, such a embarrassment, just another example of wealth and corruption, laughable 

No, I don't believe it. I'm shocked!