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

 

The fate of Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's bid for parole is now in question. This comes after the Department of Corrections was told to scrutinise and potentially revise the criteria regarding parole. Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat issued an official directive to review the rules, especially those related to non-prison detention facilities and medical transfers for inmates.

 

The directive, signed on Tuesday, was also aimed at clarifying the guidelines for parole and sentence suspension. The National Anti-Corruption Commission has formed a committee to probe officials who may have unjustly benefited certain inmates. The inquiry suggests that ambiguities in the current regulations might be harming the department’s credibility.

 

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon has pointed out that there must be clear and consistent procedures abiding by the rule of law. One focus is whether nurses can authorise external medical transfers and how inmates' capabilities are assessed. Revisions are also needed for the 2023 Corrections Department regulation on alternative detention facilities.

 

Thaksin is currently serving a one-year sentence related to the "14th floor hospital case". He returned to prison on September 9, following a Supreme Court ruling that his previous hospital stay didn't count towards his sentence. His eligibility for parole depends on serving at least one-third of his sentence.

 

Justice Minister Rutthapon noted that additional legal cases against Thaksin might affect his parole application, though specific details remain unclear. Pakorn Nilprapunt, from the Council of State, acknowledged concerns about the Attorney-General's appeal in Thaksin's lèse-majesté case. However, he believes Thaksin’s eligibility may remain unaffected, pending further legal examination, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Thaksin's parole prospects face uncertainty due to a review of policies.
• The review aims to address ambiguities harming the Corrections Department's credibility.
• Thaksin's eligibility remains under scrutiny amidst ongoing legal cases.

 

Related stories: 

Thaksin Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison Over Hospital Leave Case

Thaksin's New Role: Teaching English Behind Bars

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-11-19

 

 

 

looks like he didnt give envelopes to the right people, hopefully he has to stay there till he expires from the world

46 minutes ago, seajae said:

ooks like he didnt give envelopes to the right people, hopefully he has to stay there till he expires from the world

 

But. there's no piccture of him whith the prison haircut.

Inching closer and closer to that "...and throw away the key" moment.

Thaksin's manipulation of the law for personal gain  may thankfully be over. 

The only chance he has is to install and manipulate another 'puppet' as prime minister at the next election. 

 

23 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

But. there's no piccture of him whith the prison haircut.

 

No picture of him being in prison...Except a blurry picture of some guy in a van..

On 11/19/2025 at 9:19 AM, webfact said:

The fate of Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's bid for parole is now in question. This comes after the Department of Corrections was told to scrutinise and potentially revise the criteria regarding parole. Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat issued an official directive to review the rules, especially those related to non-prison detention facilities and medical transfers for inmates.

I thought a while back it was stated that Thaksin would not qualify for parole, and would serve his full one year term.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is growing “very stressed” behind bars and parole could be good for his health, his daughter Paetongtarn said on Thursday.

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/3141156/parole-would-help-stressed-thaksin-says-daughter. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

His time as a rich and powerful politician is reaching the end of its tether. His time as a powerhouse is over. Karma does exist.

Hey Tony,

 

It looks like they're really out to get you this time. 

 

Somehow I don't expect that you'll be released even if you serve your full sentence. 

 

You should expect another case and sentencing to magically appear before you get out. And another. And another.

 

Better get used to that prison food.

 

 

12 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is growing “very stressed” behind bars and parole could be good for his health, his daughter Paetongtarn said on Thursday.

lol any and all prisoners’ families would say that. That’s what being in prison is about for wrongdoers. Anyway, all this talk of parole… he’s only been in five minutes! What about the rest of the gen pop?

On 11/19/2025 at 9:19 AM, webfact said:

The inquiry suggests that ambiguities in the current regulations might be harming the department’s credibility.

 

Too late for that.. They credibility has been destroyed by the Thaksin family and corruption when they let Thaksin out of prison to do his time in prison. 

 

On 11/19/2025 at 9:19 AM, webfact said:

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon has pointed out that there must be clear and consistent procedures abiding by the rule of law. One focus is whether nurses can authorise external medical transfers and how inmates' capabilities are assessed. Revisions are also needed for the 2023 Corrections Department regulation on alternative detention facilities.

Unbelievable that through all these investigations with Thaksins fake stay at the hospital. That they are now trying to blame the rules and make adjustments to the rules. What happened was done beliberately by the people involved in Thaksins transfer to a hospital all the way down to the doctors and guards involved in keeping him in a luxury room at the hospital rather than be sent back to prison. 

Even now, I would bet he is getting favoritism in the prison and has a luxury cell with a mattress and perhaps even a TV and phone. Bribery will get you everywhere if you have enough money. 

I would be interested to hear a report on how Thaksins prison stay really is. Rather than the version that is currently being shown.