Thailand's Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in jail because his detention in a VIP wing of a hospital in lieu of prison was unlawful, in another major blow for a powerful family that has dominated politics for two decades.
The judges said Thaksin did not have severe illness and his hospitalisation could not be counted as time served, adding the responsibility did not solely lie with the doctors and that the polarising billionaire intentionally prolonged his hospital stay.
Thaksin was seen at the court removing his jacket and getting into a corrections department van.
In a statement on Facebook, the tycoon said he accepted the verdict and would stay strong.
"Today, I may no longer have freedom, but have freedom of thought to create benefit for the country and people," Thaksin said.
The 76-year-old power-broker is experiencing a period of political reckoning after his daughter and protégé Paetongtarn Shinawatra was sacked as prime minister by a court on 29 August - the sixth premier from or backed by the Shinawatra family to be removed by the judiciary or military.
Following Paetongtarn's sacking last month, days of chaos ensued before her government fell on Friday, outmanoeuvred by challenger Anutin Charnvirakul, who was elected premier by parliament in a humiliating defeat for Thaksin's once unstoppable Pheu Thai party.
On return from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023, Thaksin spent only a few hours in prison before being transferred to hospital complaining of heart trouble and chest pains, prompting widespread scepticism and public outrage.
His eight-year sentence for conflicts of interest and abuse of power was commuted to one year by the king and Thaksin was released on parole after just six months, the entirety of which he had spent in the VIP wing of a hospital.
A political ally of Thaksin who was in the courtroom said he took the decision well.
"He still has the fighting spirit, he told me he came back (from overseas) and was ready to face any situation, whether it's good or bad," Kokaew Pikulthong, a lawmaker for the Pheu Thai party, told reporters.
A Russian airstrike has killed more than 20 civilians who were collecting their pensions in a village in eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky...
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day a...
Construction of the Zangezur Corridor in Azerbaijan is set to be completed next year, marking a major step in enhancing regional transport and trade f...
KLM, the Dutch arm of airline group Air France, will cancel 100 flights on Wednesday after ground crew announced a two-hour strike, a spokesperson for...
A special session of the Milli Majlis is underway on 9 September, focusing on “The Washington Agreements: A Triumph of Peace Diplomacy and Wise Lead...
A Russian airstrike has killed more than 20 civilians who were collecting their pensions in a village in eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.
Construction of the Zangezur Corridor in Azerbaijan is set to be completed next year, marking a major step in enhancing regional transport and trade flows, officials said.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has rejected speculation that Pakistan could recognise Armenia as a United Nations member state, saying the issue is not under discussion.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has rejected speculation that Pakistan could recognise Armenia as a United Nations member state, saying the issue is not under discussion.
Ethiopia officially inaugurates Africa's largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, a project that will provide energy to millions of Ethiopians while deepening a rift with downstream Egypt that has unsettled the region.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9 September, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A New Zealand fugitive father shot dead by police put his children at risk with his actions and had "no regard" for their safety, authorities said on Tuesday, as police found quad bikes and ammunition at their campsite hideout.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment