Thailand’s top court is set to announce its decision regarding the prison sentence of Thaksin Shinawatra, the nation’s most influential figure. A day before the ruling, Thaksin returned to Bangkok from Dubai, where he had gone in anticipation of the court’s decision, which could see him imprisoned.
Thaksin, who has been in exile for 15 years and was accused of abusing power after his return to Thailand in 2023, had his eight-year jail term reduced to one year by the king, with parole granted after six months. However, his majority prison term was served in hospital detention, leading to public outcry and accusations of preferential treatment.
The court will determine if Shinawatra served his sentence correctly.
Supporters of Thaksin gathered outside the Supreme Court in advance of the ruling amidst tight security.
Thaksin’s family has had a major influence on Thai politics for the past two decades through their populist policies. However, their popularity has waned in recent years with the rise of the progressive Move Forward party, which was dissolved in 2023 despite winning the most seats in that year’s election.
Last month, Thaksin’s daughter and successor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from her position as prime minister by the Constitutional Court following a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen about a border dispute that escalated into violent clashes.
Edited by: Rana Taha
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/thailand-s-top-court-to-rule-on-ex-pm-thaksin-s-prison-term/a-73926243?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
