Thaksin ordered back to jail after Supreme Court ruling
Bangkok – A dramatic twist in Thai politics: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a one-year prison term, effective immediately. Judges declared that his prior sentence, served in a private suite at the Police General Hospital, did not meet the Department of Corrections’ standards and therefore cannot be counted as legitimate prison time.
Royal pardon but still one year left
Thaksin, 75, responded swiftly on his official Facebook page, expressing gratitude to the King for granting him a royal pardon that had already reduced his sentence. “This is an immeasurable grace that I humbly accept,” he wrote. Nevertheless, authorities confirmed he will now be transferred from hospital custody to prison.
Political legacy overshadowed
In his statement, the former premier reflected on his years in power from 2001 to 2006, when he introduced sweeping social and economic reforms. “I am proud that we created a democracy people could truly feel in their lives,” he said. Yet since the 2006 coup, Thaksin has been entangled in a series of legal battles — and now faces incarceration once again.
“From today on, no freedom”
Turning emotional, Thaksin told supporters: “From today on, I may be deprived of freedom, but my thoughts remain free — for my country and my people.” He vowed to use the remainder of his life, even behind bars, in service of the King, Thailand, and its citizens.
A message to supporters
By accepting the court’s ruling without resistance, Thaksin sent a clear message: no further legal fights, no reopening of old conflicts. Instead, he urged his political base to look forward and continue working for the nation’s future. Analysts see the move as an attempt to calm Thailand’s turbulent political landscape.