Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence linked to previous graft and abuse of power convictions.
The decision comes amid scrutiny over how officials handled Thaksin’s return to the country in 2023 after more than a decade in self-imposed exile.
Upon his arrival, Thaksin spent less than 24 hours in prison before being transferred to Bangkok’s Police General Hospital, reportedly for health reasons. He remained there for six months before being released on parole.
Originally sentenced to eight years in three separate corruption-related cases, Thaksin’s punishment was reduced to one year by a royal pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The leniency surrounding his imprisonment has fueled widespread criticism, with many Thais questioning whether the 74-year-old received preferential treatment. Public skepticism over his medical condition, which kept him out of prison for the entirety of his parole period, has only deepened those suspicions.
The ruling is likely to reignite debate over political privilege, justice, and the rule of law in Thailand, where Thaksin remains a highly polarizing figure.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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