Thailand's apex court set to announce verdict regarding tycoon Thaksin alleged evasion of imprisonment
The political landscape in Thailand is currently in a state of flux following a series of significant events. On Friday, the government led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra fell, marking a significant shift in Thai politics.
Paetongtarn, the daughter and protegee of former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was sacked as prime minister by a court 11 days ago. The fall of her government was the result of a series of political manoeuvres that saw her government outmanoeuvred by challenger Anutin Charnvirakul.
Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned from a 15-year self-imposed exile in 2023, was sentenced to eight years for conflicts of interest and abuse of power in 2024. Upon his return, he spent only a few hours in prison before being transferred to a hospital due to his complaint of heart trouble and chest pains. The king commuted his sentence to one year.
The political turnaround was achieved by Anutin Charnvirakul, who was elected Prime Minister in recent years, replacing Thaksin Shinawatra's government and entourage. His election by the Thai parliament in September 2025 came after the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office.
The decision could result in Thailand's most influential tycoon being jailed, as the Supreme Court of Thailand will decide on Tuesday (Sep 9) if former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra should serve prison time. This marks the sixth premier from or backed by the Shinawatra family to be removed by the judiciary or military.
The Pheu Thai party, which has been a dominant force in Thai politics, suffered a humiliating defeat in the election of the new premier. Days of chaos ensued before Paetongtarn's government fell on Friday.
The transfer of power from Paetongtarn to Anutin has prompted widespread scepticism and public outrage, with many questioning the fairness of the political process. However, the election of Anutin Charnvirakul as the new premier has been hailed as a sign of a new era in Thai politics.
Anutin Charnvirakul's election as premier marks a significant shift in Thai politics, with many hoping for a more stable and democratic future for the country. The political landscape in Thailand is certainly in a state of change, and only time will tell what the future holds.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Japanese leader stepping down from office
- Leaders Pashinyan and Aliyev convene at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's annual gathering
- Policies proposed by Prabowo are causing a mix of optimism and unease among Indonesians
