Thaksin begins Buddhist rehabilitation programme

Thaksin Enters Buddhist Rehabilitation Programme as Paetongtarn Withdraws from Forefront

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has entered a dhamma-based rehabilitation initiative at Klong Prem Central Prison, while his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is signalling a reduced profile in politics. The programme, called Dhammanavawang, is a royal-endorsed course aimed at Buddhist teaching, reflection and self-improvement for inmates. Paetongtarn, in a public statement after visiting her father, emphasised his stable physical condition but noted his mental strain amidst changing weather and ongoing legal issues. The Justice Ministry’s simultaneous review of rules around inmate transfers and sentence suspensions has fuelled speculation that the rehabilitation placement is politically calculated.