Bangkok: Thaksin Shinawatra was suffering from mental stress while his physical health remained normal, said his daughter, ex-prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, after visiting him at Klong Prem Central Prison on Thursday. Paetongtarn told reporters that Thaksin was experiencing “a bit more stress mentally” amid legal issues affecting his potential parole and a series of recent setbacks.

According to Thai News Agency, Paetongtarn mentioned the Minister of Justice’s order to review the criteria for transferring inmates for medical treatment outside the prison and for parole. This review is seen by some as potentially hindering Thaksin’s chances of being released in time for the 2026 election. Paetongtarn expressed hope that the process would follow the proper procedures, emphasizing her father’s age and the benefit of granting him the right to be released for rest.

Thaksin is currently serving a reduced one-year sentence related to multiple past convictions for corruption and abuse of power from his time in office. The visit was the 18th since Thaksin began serving his sentence two months and 11 days ago.

Paetongtarn’s visit followed the Attorney General’s decision to appeal Thaksin’s acquittal in a high-profile lese-majeste case. This case arose from a 2015 interview in South Korea, where Thaksin allegedly suggested that the palace was behind the coup that ousted him.

In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court has reversed lower court decisions in a long-running tax dispute. The court’s judgment, delivered on Monday, enforces the collection of 17.6 billion baht in personal income tax from Thaksin related to the sale of shares in Shin Corp. The tax case is linked to the controversial 2006 sale of the Shinawatra family’s controlling stake in telecommunications giant Shin Corp to Singapore’s state-owned investment firm Temasek Holdings. Opposition groups alleged that this transaction involved the use of nominees to evade taxes, implicating his children. The ruling will now proceed to enforcement.