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The Straits Times (12 June 2025)

Thailand’s ruling party, besieged by a faltering economy and a border crisis, faces more uncertainty this week as the Supreme Court begins hearing a case that could lead to jail time for its most influential politician, Mr Thaksin Shinawatra.

The billionaire former premier, and the driving force behind the government of his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, skipped prison on his return in 2023 from 15 years of self-exile by serving his detention in hospital, on grounds of ill health.

But this week’s proceedings could add to mounting troubles for political newcomer Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai Party, if the court deems the hospital detention unlawful and orders Mr Thaksin to serve his original prison time.

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