{
  "id": 12631315,
  "title": "Ex-Thai PM Thaksin cites personal safety in tax challenge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/ex-thai-pm-thaksin-cites-personal-safety-in-tax-challenge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:35:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/07/ex-thai-pm-thaksin-cites-personal-safety-in-tax-challenge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai premier, has petitioned a court for a temporary injunction to prevent the revenue department from confiscating his assets to settle a tax dispute dating back to 2006. The Supreme Court's Tax Division ruled in November that the revenue department could pursue the former prime minister over the 2006 sale of his telecoms firm. Thaksin's lawyer stated that the disputed amount exceeds 17 billion baht ($504 million). Appearing at the Central Tax Court in Bangkok, the 77-year-old Thaksin highlighted his concerns for personal safety, citing four assassination attempts while in office. He expressed worry that the seizure of his five cars, including two bullet-proof vehicles, might further endanger his life. Thaksin argued that he has already resolved the tax-free sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings for $1.9 billion in 2006, a deal that precipitated protests and opposition to his government. He was subsequently ousted in a coup that year and went into exile for over a decade, during which he faced corruption convictions. Thaksin returned to Thailand in 2023, was arrested, served eight months in jail, and was released in May. The tax court is scheduled to announce its ruling on November 16. The Shinawatra family has long been a thorn in the side of Thailand's pro-military, pro-royalty elite, who view their populist politics as a threat to the traditional social order. However, the Shinawatra dynasty has experienced a string of legal and political setbacks, including the court-ordered removal of Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn, as prime minister in August 2025 due to an ethics violation.",
  "summary": "The Supreme Court last November upheld a tax claim by the revenue department against Thaksin Shinawatra over the 2006 sale of his telecoms firm.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Ex-Thai PM Thaksin fights US$500m tax bill, says seizure of bullet-proof cars could endanger his life",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/ex-thai-pm-thaksin-fights-us-500m-tax-bill-says-seizure-of-bullet",
        "published": "2026-10-07T11:29:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ex-Thai PM Thaksin cites personal safety in tax challenge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/ex-thai-pm-thaksin-cites-personal-safety-in-tax-challenge-12632039",
        "published": "2026-10-07T11:35:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}