The decision relates to a previous case where he was sentenced to years in prison for corruption, but ended up spending less than a day in jail as he was moved to a hospital.
Thailand’s top court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a year in jail, in yet another blow to the influential political dynasty.
The decision relates to a previous case where he was sentenced to years in prison for corruption, but ended up spending less than a day in jail as he was moved to a hospital. The Supreme Court on Tuesday, mentioned that such an act was against the law and announced a year of imprisonment
He and his family have played a major role and revealed strong power in politics since he became the PM of the nation in 2001. His daughter Paetongtarn previously served as leader but was removed from office last month over a leaked phone call.
Shortly after the ruling was announced, Thaksin released a statement on social media stating that “even though I lose my physical freedom, I will still have freedom of thought for the benefit of my country and its people”.
He also vowed to maintain his strength to serve the monarchy, Thailand and its people.
The former PM in 2006 was expelled forcefully from his position in a military coup. He then spent years in prison in Dubai.
When in 2003, he returned to Thailand, he was held under the charges of corruption and taking the advantage of power during his office tenure. For this, he was sentenced to eight years in prison. But Thaksin spent only hours in a jail cell before he complained of heart issues, and was later moved to a luxury wing of Thailand’s Police General Hospital.
Following his plea for a royal pardon, the Thai king commuted his sentence to one year.
Thaksin stayed in hospital for six months, then received parole and moved to his home in Bangkok.
On Tuesday, a Supreme Court judge said in a statement that Thaksin “knew or could perceive that he was not in a critical or emergency condition.”
While Thaksin had underlying chronic medical conditions, he could have been treated as an outpatient, the judge said while ruling that the hospital stay was illegal.
Political Turmoil in Thailand
Thaksin’s case comes during a period of political unrest in Thailand. Tuesday’s court ruling shows how the fortunes of the Shinawatra family and the Pheu Thai party are shifting.
The “14th floor case” is not the only legal issue Thaksin has faced recently. He was also accused of insulting the king but was cleared of lese-majeste charges last month.
At the same time, Paetongtarn faced criticism after Cambodian leader Hun Sen leaked a phone call with her about a border dispute, where she called him “uncle.”
She was then removed from office after the constitutional court found her to be violating ethical standards expected of her office.
Last week Thailand’s parliament chose Anutin Charnvirakul as the new PM, the third in two years.
Anutin’s Bhumjaithai party broke from the coalition led by Pheu Thai, and secured enough support in parliament from another party to win the premiership.
