On September 9, 2025, the political landscape of Thailand took a dramatic turn as Thaksin Shinawatra, the country’s former prime minister and one of its most polarizing figures, was ordered by the Supreme Court to serve a one-year prison sentence for previous convictions related to corruption and abuse of power. The decision, which sent shockwaves through Thai society and reignited debates over privilege, justice, and political dynasties, marks the latest chapter in a saga that has dominated the nation’s politics for over two decades.
Thaksin, now 76, was escorted to Bangkok’s Klong Prem Central Prison after the court ruled that his earlier detention in a police hospital did not count toward his sentence. The ruling came after a hearing that scrutinized the circumstances of his return from self-imposed exile in 2023, his subsequent medical treatment, and whether he had received preferential treatment during what was supposed to be his incarceration. According to The Associated Press, Thaksin was filmed entering a prison van in a blue prisoner uniform, marking the start of his official prison term.
The Supreme Court’s decision was unambiguous: Thaksin’s stay at the Bangkok Police General Hospital, which lasted six months, was unlawful. The court found that his reported medical conditions—tightness in the chest, high blood pressure, and low oxygen levels—were not critical and could have been managed by the prison’s own medical facilities. Instead, Thaksin was sent directly to the police hospital without a prior assessment by prison doctors, a clear violation of procedure. The court also noted that the surgeries he underwent—on a finger joint and for tendonitis—were not the urgent neck surgery initially cited as the reason for his hospitalization. In fact, no neck surgery took place before his release on parole in February 2024, after his sentence was commuted from eight years to one by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The court’s statement, reported by CNN and The New York Times, concluded that Thaksin had intervened in the treatment process to avoid returning to prison, even going so far as to falsely claim health conditions. The case raised widespread suspicion that Thaksin, a billionaire and former owner of Manchester City Football Club, had used his influence to evade true incarceration. The Medical Council of Thailand weighed in as well, suspending two doctors in June 2025 for issuing false medical documents that enabled Thaksin’s prolonged hospital stay. A prison doctor was also cautioned for not meeting the required medical standards in referring him for outside treatment.
In a message posted to his Facebook page shortly after the ruling, Thaksin accepted the court’s decision and struck a tone of resignation mixed with resolve. “I’d like to look into the future, to give conclusions to everything, whether the legal proceedings or the conflicts that were caused by or related to me. From today, although I’m without freedom, I still have freedom of thought for the benefit of the country and its people,” he wrote. This sentiment was echoed in his public statement reported by CNN: “Today I choose to look forward, letting all past matters come to a resolution. Though I may lack physical freedom, I still have the freedom of thought for the benefit of the nation and people.”
Outside the courtroom, emotions ran high. Supporters gathered, some in tears. One woman, Oy, 64, told CNN that she was devastated by the verdict, crediting Thaksin’s universal healthcare initiative for saving her husband’s life. Meanwhile, Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra—herself a former prime minister—spoke to reporters, expressing both concern for her father and pride in his legacy. “I’m worried about my father, but I’m also proud that he has created so many historic moments for the country,” she said. “It’s quite tough, but of course we are still in a good spirit, both my father and our family.”
The Shinawatra family’s grip on Thai politics has been formidable since Thaksin’s first election victory in 2001. Thaksin’s populist policies endeared him to rural voters but earned the ire of urban elites, royalists, and the military. His tenure was cut short by a military coup in 2006 while he was abroad, and he returned briefly in 2008 before fleeing again to avoid charges he always claimed were politically motivated. During his years in self-exile, mostly in Dubai, Thaksin remained a powerful force behind the scenes. His sister Yingluck and daughter Paetongtarn both served as prime ministers, and his family’s Pheu Thai Party won nearly every election since 2001—until recently.
The verdict against Thaksin capped a tumultuous period for the Shinawatras. In August 2025, Paetongtarn was removed from office by the Constitutional Court for an ethics violation related to a phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The family’s political machine, long dominant, now faces significant challenges. Just last week, the Pheu Thai Party was ousted from government, replaced by Anutin Charnvirakul, a veteran politician who led the charge to legalize cannabis in Thailand and was endorsed by King Vajiralongkorn as the country’s new prime minister. This marks the third prime minister in two years, underscoring the volatility of Thai politics.
The context of Thaksin’s return to Thailand in 2023 also remains a matter of speculation. Many analysts, according to CNN and The New York Times, believe he struck a deal with the conservative and royalist establishment for leniency, possibly in exchange for stepping back from active politics. Thaksin has consistently denied making any such arrangement. His return coincided with his party retaking government, only to lose power again within a year.
Adding another twist, after the verdict, Thaksin briefly left for Dubai on September 11, 2025, for what he described as a health check-up, prompting rumors that he might be fleeing into exile once more. He denied these reports and returned to Bangkok by September 15, 2025, according to The New York Times.
Thaksin’s imprisonment comes at a moment when the country is preparing for another general election, likely to be held in the first half of 2026. Whether his sentence brings closure or merely sets the stage for further political drama remains to be seen. As Isra Sunthornvut, head of Vriens & Partners in Thailand, told The New York Times, “The industry of ‘I hate Thaksin’ that has been here for 20 years, they would have nothing to hate anymore.” Yet, the deep divisions and unresolved tensions that have defined Thai politics for a generation are unlikely to fade overnight.
For now, the former telecom magnate who once towered over Thai politics begins his prison term, his family’s dynasty at a crossroads, and the nation watching closely for what comes next.
