• Thaksin Shinawatra has been transferred to Klong Prem Central Prison to serve a one-year sentence for corruption.
• The Supreme Court ruled his previous hospital stay was illegal, leading to this conviction.
• Inside the prison, inmates face harsh conditions including limited bedding and the risk of violence.
• Thaksin's high-profile status may warrant increased security measures during his incarceration.
• He may be eligible for parole after serving half of his one-year sentence.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is currently serving a one-year sentence at Bangkok's Klong Prem Central Prison, as ordered by the Supreme Court. The court found that Thaksin had wrongfully spent time in a hospital rather than serving his prison time after a previous eight-year sentence was commuted to one year due to royal clemency granted on his return from self-exile in August 2023, according to Bangkok Post, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Thaksin was moved to Klong Prem Central Prison after spending a night in Bangkok Remand Prison. The conditions he now faces are described as harsh, with inmates limited to three blankets and an open bathing area vulnerable to violence, reflecting a tense and unfriendly environment, as detailed by corrections officials and former inmates like Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, according to Bangkok Post and Bangkok Post.

During a five-day quarantine upon his arrival, Thaksin is unable to receive visitors including family and legal counsel, as noted by his lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree. This period is necessary for health screenings and classification, following which he will be assigned to a suitable prison zone, according to corrections department protocols outlined by sources in Bangkok Post and Reuters.

The facility, housing approximately 6,500 inmates, is known for its rigorous security measures, especially for high-profile prisoners like Thaksin, who may demand special precautions against hostilities from other inmates, particularly those with opposing political affiliations. This raises concerns about his wellbeing within the prison’s landscape where inmates typically lack personal space and may sleep on the floor, as discussed by those familiar with the conditions, according to Channel News Asia and Bangkok Post.

If the current regulations permit, Thaksin could be considered for parole after six months, while his age may also qualify him for additional leniency, although current technology limits the options for electronic monitoring or home detention, according to Reuters, reflecting the complexities surrounding his imprisonment.