8 h. ago Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra ordered to serve 1 year in jail by Supreme Court

Thailand’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in jail because his detention in the VIP wing of a hospital in lieu of prison was unlawful, in another major blow for a powerful family that has dominated Thai politics for two decades. The court would take the 76-year-old into custody, a reporter who attended the verdict said. On return from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023, Thaksin spent only a few hours in prison before being transferred to...

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8 h. ago Thaksin Shinawatra’s fall from grace ends in a Thai prison cell

Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire tycoon who once dominated Thai politics, will spend his first night behind bars on Tuesday after the Supreme Court sentenced him to a year in prison. The verdict was a stunning blow for the former prime minister, whose political dynasty has, for now, been pushed aside. Thailand’s top court found that Thaksin, 76, knowingly exaggerated illness in 2023 to secure a lengthy stay in a VIP ward of a police hospital rather than in a prison cell. Judges ruled that his...

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31 h. ago Thailand’s Thaksin in Singapore in preparation to return to Bangkok

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to Bangkok on Monday, days after his abrupt departure for Dubai stoked speculation about him fleeing the country ahead of a court ruling that could see him jailed. Thaksin, 76, arrived in Singapore in his private jet early on Monday and will travel to the Thai capital later in the day, according to a person familiar with his plans who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Several Thai media outlets...

Politics

4 d. ago Thaksin leaves Thailand ahead of court ruling that could see him jailed

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a sudden and surprising departure from the country on Thursday, just five days before a court ruling that could open him up to a new prison sentence. His exit came a week after the Constitutional Court removed his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, from her position as prime minister. The court found her guilty of an ethics violation for a politically compromising phone call with Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen. Parliament was set to...

Events

4 d. ago Thaksin flies to Dubai after missing Singapore airport landing deadline

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a sudden and surprising departure from the country on Thursday, just five days before a court ruling that could open him up to a new prison sentence. Thaksin told Thai immigration authorities at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport that his private jet was headed for Singapore. A police statement confirmed his plane was allowed to take off shortly after 7pm because he had no arrest warrant or court order preventing him from leaving the...

Events

4 d. ago Thailand’s Thaksin flies to Dubai after missing Singapore landing deadline

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a sudden and surprising departure from the country on Thursday, just five days before a court ruling that could open him up to a new prison sentence. Thaksin told Thai immigration authorities at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport that his private jet was headed for Singapore. A police statement confirmed his plane was allowed to take off shortly after 7pm because he had no arrest warrant or court order preventing him from leaving the...

Events