BANGKOK, Thailand – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand on Monday, September 8th, 2025, landing in Bangkok aboard his private jet, flight T7GTS, from Singapore.
Thaksin, a polarizing figure in Thai politics, made his return after several days in Dubai and Singapore for what he claimed was a medical appointment, but in which some critics claimed he was trying to flee before his upcoming court verdict . Thaksin strongly denied this and had stated multiple times he intended to return ahead of the verdict.
On Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions is set to deliver a verdict at 10 am on whether Thaksin’s six-month stay at the Police General Hospital, instead of prison, constituted lawful enforcement of his one-year sentence for corruption. An unfavorable ruling could see Thaksin, now 76, return to jail to serve the remainder of his sentence, potentially escalating political tensions.
Details surrounding Thaksin’s return remain limited, with no official statement from the former leader or his representatives at the time of reporting. His daughter, recently removed former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, however, had stated earlier today he fully intended to be present at the court hearing and verdict tomorrow morning.
Thaksin had recently been acquitted in a case of alleged Lese Majeste charges, as we reported here.
