Thailand’s Supreme Court ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in prison, rejecting his six-month hospitalization as time served because it was deemed unlawful.

The court found that Thaksin was not seriously ill and likely prolonged his hospital stay to avoid incarceration.

Thaksin accepted the decision, stating that he still retains the freedom of thought to benefit the country.

This is a significant blow to the Shinawatra political dynasty, particularly after Thaksin’s daughter was recently ousted as prime minister.

The ruling marks another showdown in Thailand’s long-standing conflict between populist leaders and the military-royalist establishment, as reported by CNN.