"Oak-Ink" and family visited "Thaksin" for the final time in 2025. The lawyer explained that Thaksin remains classified as a medium-strict prisoner, awaiting a review in April 2026, and raised questions about the Attorney General.
At 09:50 on 29 Dec 2025, Mr. Panthongtae Shinawatra, Ms. Natthiya Puangkham, his wife, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, and Mr. Pitak Suksawat, her husband, arrived to visit Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra. They were accompanied by Mr. Winyat Chatmontri, Thaksin's personal lawyer.
At 10:50, after the Shinawatra family completed their visit with Mr. Thaksin inside the prison, Ms. Paethongtarn said the conversation went well. "Father is happy and cheerful, though he has minor health issues. Overall, he looks refreshed as he welcomes the new year."
When asked if Mr. Thaksin had offered any strategic advice for the Pheu Thai Party, Ms. Paethongtarn exclaimed with a smile, "Father encouraged us and said that at least number 9 is easy to remember. If people choose a single-digit number, it's simple. He mostly shared stories from his own time, about which numbers he drew and how, including his early days when he got number 7. Father likes reminiscing and said, ‘At my age, old people tend to have many memories.’"
Regarding whether the Pheu Thai Party will be the top choice in forming the next government, Ms. Paethongtarn smiled widely and said, "We must encourage each other."
Mr. Winyat stated that currently, former Prime Minister Thaksin remains classified as a medium-strict prisoner and has not been promoted to good status. The proposed promotion from the Klong Prem Central Prison committee to the central Department of Corrections committee—from medium to good status—is expected around April 2026. This means that even though Thaksin will have completed six months of detention by March 2026, the consideration for a general sentence suspension program might not occur that month. He understands the correctional process, and Thaksin accepts that he must comply with the rules regardless of how many more months he must serve. They will not pressure officials or misuse power unlawfully. They are willing to wait for the status upgrade, whether it takes six or eight months.
Regarding Thaksin's appeal against the Section 112 case after the current Attorney General ordered an appeal, previously the Section 112 case committee of prosecutors had voted 8:2 against appealing. Mr. Winyat said the appeal process is still being prepared. On 26 Dec, he submitted a letter requesting fairness and informed the Attorney General that his action violated the committee's decision, regardless of whether it was a 7:2 or 8:2 vote. As chair, the Attorney General cannot override or violate the committee's resolution since the committee has exclusive authority. This differs from Section 20 of the Criminal Procedure Code, where the Attorney General can act on cases outside the kingdom. If the Attorney General intends to use such authority, he should not have formed the committee initially. Since the committee has decided, its decision must be respected. They view the Attorney General's action as improper and incorrect from the start.
Mr. Winyat also questioned whether the Attorney General is acting on someone's request, noting reports about the Attorney General’s whereabouts and meetings. On 26 Dec, they sent a letter to the Attorney General asking him to reconsider. Shortly after, news emerged that his daughter registered as a candidate with the Bhumjaithai Party. They requested the Attorney General to explain this. Politically, it is the daughter’s right to run with any party. They await a written response from the Attorney General, including copies of documents related to the case and committee decisions, to understand why he disregarded the committee’s resolution resulting in the appeal order.
Regarding the latest petition for a royal pardon for Mr. Thaksin, Mr. Winyat said it is still under review by the Royal Secretariat. They cannot interfere as it is a matter of royal prerogative. As Thai citizens, they must patiently await the outcome.
Additionally, reporters noted that Klong Prem Central Prison will suspend family visitations from 31 Dec 2025 and will reopen on 5 Jan 2026. Today is thus the last day in 2025 that the Shinawatra family can visit Mr. Thaksin inside the prison.