Thailand Sentences Former PM Thaksin to One-Year Prison Term

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's former prime minister and a deeply polarizing figure, was ordered by the Supreme Court to serve a one-year prison sentence for graft and abuse of power charges dating back to his time in office. After returning to Thailand in 2023 from 15 years of self-imposed exile, he initially avoided full imprisonment by being hospitalized and receiving a royal reduction of his sentence, but the court later ruled that his hospital stay was unlawful and that he must complete the full term. Thaksin remains a powerful presence in Thai politics, with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra serving as prime minister, which has kept his political influence alive despite his legal troubles and longstanding hostility from the Thai establishment. His political career, which began in the 1990s and included building a telecommunications empire, has been marked by both widespread popularity and fierce opposition, making him one of the most disruptive figures in recent Thai history. Speculation about his movements and potential jail term continues to fuel political tensions in Thailand. The ongoing legal and political drama surrounding Thaksin underscores the enduring impact of his leadership and the deep divisions within Thai society.