Thaksin's woes hurt poll bid

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was sent back to prison after the Supreme Court ordered him to serve a one-year jail term in connection with the high-profile "14th floor" case, dealing a major blow to any prospect of him playing a role in election campaigning.

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The 14th floor refers to a VIP hospital ward at Police General Hospital (PGH), where Thaksin stayed from August 2023 to February 2024 in lieu of the standard prison cell where he was supposed to serve his prison sentence.

Upon returning to Thailand after years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin appeared poised for a political revival. However, following the collapse of the Pheu Thai-led government, his legal troubles came back thick and fast.

Thaksin returned to Thailand on Aug 22, 2023, after more than 17 years of self-imposed exile.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison in three cases for abuse of authority and conflict of interest while serving as prime minister.