Supreme Court to Rule on Thaksin Prison Controversy Tomorrow
Bangkok, April 30, 2025 — Thailand’s Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office is set to issue a ruling on Wednesday regarding a renewed petition demanding that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra be returned to prison.
The petition, filed by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasena Na Ayudhya, questions the legality of the Department of Corrections’ decision to allow Thaksin to spend six months in the Police General Hospital instead of prison, after being sentenced for corruption-related charges.
Charnchai alleges the extended hospital stay violated the Criminal Procedure Code, arguing that Thaksin did not serve any time in prison despite receiving a one-year sentence—reduced from eight years by royal commutation. Thaksin was released on parole in February last year due to his age and health condition.
This marks Charnchai’s third attempt to push for Thaksin’s return to prison. The Supreme Court previously dismissed similar petitions in February 2023, stating that enforcement of the court’s sentence and decisions on prisoner health management fall under the authority of the Corrections Department, and are outside the judiciary’s jurisdiction.
The court’s impending ruling will determine whether it has authority to revisit the Department’s handling of Thaksin’s case or if the matter remains closed.
