Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra spent his first night in jail on September 9 without any health problems, according to officials at Bangkok Remand Prison, who said his first night in custody went smoothly. Thaksin was sent to the prison at 5.10pm after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions ruled that he must serve a one-year jail term.
Thaksin had returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, to serve an eight-year sentence for three corruption convictions but was transferred the same night to the Police General Hospital due to a reported critical illness. He remained there for six months before being released on parole. During that time, he also received royal clemency, reducing his sentence from eight years to one year.
However, on September 9, the court ruled that Thaksin had faked his illness, making his six-month parole unlawful and requiring him to restart his one-year sentence from the beginning.
The following day, his eldest daughter, Pintongta Kunakornwong Shinawatra, posted a photo on Instagram kissing her father’s cheek, calling him her lifelong hero regardless of what others say. She described him as a brave leader who sacrificed himself for the nation, adding that the Shinawatra family would stand together through these difficult times. She also thanked supporters for their encouragement, saying it would only make the family stronger, ending her post with the hashtag #Yourdaughterwillalwaysremainstrong.
