Bangkok, 23 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Thailand's ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been transferred from prison to a police hospital because of ill health.

Thai media reported on Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Justice, that the 74-year-old billionaire had complained of a tightness in his chest and high blood pressure.

He had returned from years of exile the day before and was immediately sentenced to prison for corruption.

On the day of Thaksin's return, the candidate of the party he founded, Pheu Thai, the real estate entrepreneur Srettha Thavisin, was elected as the new prime minister.

Shortly before, the Supreme Court confirmed a prison sentence imposed on Thaksin during his absence. According to this, Thaksin must be imprisoned for eight years.

Political observers doubt, however, that he will remain in prison for that long. In Thailand, convicts over the age of 70 can apply for parole or a royal pardon.

Thaksin, who made his fortune in the telecom industry, was elected prime minister in 2001. He was overthrown in a military coup in 2006, accused of corruption and abuse of power as well as disrespect for the monarchy.

In 2008, he fled the country into exile to avoid a prison sentence.

Photo: EPA