---
title: "Thailand's top court orders ex-PM Thaksin to pay $542 million in taxes"
description: "Thailand's Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to pay 17.6 billion baht ($542.37 million) in taxes from a 2006 share sale, senior officials said on Tuesday, reviving a case that led to his ousting 19 years ago."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-18-thailands-top-court-orders-ex-pm-thaksin-to-pay-542-million-in-taxes/"
published: "2025-11-18T11:32:08"
updated: "2025-11-18T11:32:09"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 224
---

# Thailand's top court orders ex-PM Thaksin to pay $542 million in taxes

> Thailand's Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to pay 17.6 billion baht ($542.37 million) in taxes from a 2006 share sale, senior officials said on Tuesday, reviving a case that led to his ousting 19 years ago.

By Reuters · Published 18 November 2025, 13:32 SAST · Updated 18 November 2025, 13:32 SAST

## Key points
- In a plot twist worthy of a political soap opera, Thaksin Shinawatra's telecom empire sale to Singapore's Temasek not only sparked protests and a military coup, but now his family is facing a tax reckoning and courtroom drama that would make even the most seasoned legal eagle raise an eyebrow.
- Thaksin Shinawatra's 2006 sale of Shin Corp shares to Temasek sparked protests and led to his military ousting.
- Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas confirmed that tax investigations related to the sale are ongoing.
- The ruling adds to the challenges faced by Thaksin, who is currently serving a one-year prison term for unrelated charges.
- His family continues to face legal troubles, with his daughter dismissed from politics and his sister ordered to pay $305 million in damages.

## Content

In 2006, Thaksin sold shares Shin Corp, a telecommunications firm he founded, to Singapore's Temasek, raising concerns about a conflict of interest as well as allegations of tax evasion.

At the time, the former premier said the transaction was compliant with rules, but the sale ignited protests in Bangkok that eventually led to the army deposing him and seizing power later that year.

"This matter must proceed based on the judgement," Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Tuesday.

"The Revenue Department are examining the details," he told reporters when asked when the taxes would be collected.

The ruling is the latest blow against the polarising billionaire, who is currently serving a one-year prison term for a separate matter.

Thaksin's representatives declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

In August, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, his daughter, was dismissed by court order over an ethics violation that stemmed from a leaked phone call between her and Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen.

In May, his sister, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, was also ordered to pay $305 million in damages over a botched rice scheme.

She was sentenced to five years to prison in absentia for the case in 2017 and has been living overseas to avoid prison.

($1 = 32.4500 baht)

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Thanadech Staporncharnchai and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by David Stanway)