Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Transferred to Prison Medical Wing

Khabor Wala Desk

Published: 15th September 2025, 8:44 AM

Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Transferred to Prison Medical Wing

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently serving a prison sentence, was moved on Monday to the medical wing of Klong Prem prison in Bangkok due to his age and chronic health conditions, according to a senior corrections official who spoke to AFP.

Background

Age: 76
Sentence: One year in prison
Reason for Sentence: The Supreme Court ruled Thaksin had improperly served a 2023 sentence in a hospital suite rather than a prison cell.
Wealth & Influence: One of Thailand’s richest individuals and a polarising political figure, patriarch of a political dynasty challenging Thailand’s pro-monarchy and pro-military establishment for two decades.

Current Situation

Aspect	Details
Prison Location	Klong Prem Prison, Bangkok
Prison Wing	Medical wing (due to age and chronic disease)
Health Condition	Blood pressure issues; generally stable
Recent Visit	Daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, mother, and older sister visited for 30 minutes after Thaksin completed mandatory quarantine
Appearance	Hair shaved in accordance with prison regulations
Treatment	Unclear if receiving active treatment; move may be precautionary

A senior corrections official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Thaksin was relocated “to stay at the medical wing due to his age and his health condition with chronic disease.” It was not clarified whether he was undergoing treatment or moved as a precaution.

Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was recently removed from the position of prime minister by court order, was among the first to visit him. After the 30-minute visit, she told reporters and supporters outside the prison: “His health is good. He is having some blood pressure problems but it’s normal for everyone staying inside prison to have stress.”

Political & Legal History

Prime Minister Terms: 2001 and 2005
Exile: Left Thailand after a military coup ended his second term
Return: August 2023
Previous Sentence: 8 years for corruption and abuse of power; never spent a night in a cell due to hospitalisation
Royal Pardon: Sentence reduced to one year; released as part of early release for elderly prisoners

His lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, clarified: “It is not time yet to submit an application for Thaksin to serve his current sentence outside prison. There must be a period of prison time, according to regulations, before it can be considered.”

He also emphasised that Thaksin has not requested preferential treatment, including special security arrangements, and “has no special room” within the prison.