At 74 years old, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is currently lodged in a private room within the medical ward of the Bangkok Remand Prison, given his several underlying health concerns that include cardiac and respiratory complications. This intriguing update was conveyed to members of the press yesterday by Aryut Sinthoppan, who heads the Department of Corrections. The backdrop to this development is Thaksin’s recent sentencing of eight years imprisonment by the Supreme Court due to corruption allegations from his term.
Thaksin’s dramatic return to Thailand after self-imposed exile for 15 years signals a pivotal turning point in the country’s history. Nevertheless, Sinthoppan offered assurances that the prison administration is equipped and prepared to assure Thaksin’s security, fundamentals of living such as food and purified drinking water, and adequate visitation accommodations. Anticipating visits by Thaksin’s family, close confidants, and various organization representatives, meeting spaces have been organized to accommodate all. The elderly ex-Prime Minister’s health will be under tight surveillance due to his age and medical issues.
Explaining further about Thaksin’s health status, Sithi Sutheewong, the deputy director-general of the Department of Corrections Hospital, stated that Thaksin suffers from four underlying diseases. The director of the Department of Corrections Hospital, Wattanachai Mingbancherdsuk, affirmed that Thaksin’s health dossier points towards cardiac disease, a lung condition, hypertension, and spondylosis. He stressed that surveillance of Thaksin’s multiple health conditions warrants serious attention.
Following protocols for elderly inmates with illnesses, Thaksin has been allocated a separate room in Zone 7, the prison’s medical center. While Thaksin’s room is equipped with electric fans, the absence of air conditioning is noticeable. However, there’s a room attached for doctor’s use. As per the provisions, Thaksin is eligible to request a royal pardon from his first day of incarceration. This involves review process by a committee from the Department of Corrections, transmitted to the Ministry of Justice, the prime minister, and ultimately, His Majesty the King.
The imprisonment facility’s supervisor, Nastee Thongplad, affirmed that all prisoners, including Thaksin, should be treated equitably. Maintaining short hair along with wearing a white shirt has been mandated for Thaksin, similar to other prisoners. Human rights activist Angkhana Neelapaijit, however, criticized the penal department’s decision to assign Thaksin a personal cell, deeming it an “unjust privilege.” Voicing concerns about probable sentiment of bias among prisoners from lower socio-economic strata, she claimed that only prisoners requiring medical treatment should be accommodated in the prison hospital.
This stance comes on the back of recent photographs portraying Thaksin’s robust health, prompting speculation about his necessitating a personal cell. The Bangkok Remand Prison also accommodates other high-profile convicts, including ex-Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, who was sentenced for 48 years for corrupt practices now reduced because of royal pardon and term cuts, with scheduled release on April 21, 2028. Among other prisoners is Tarit Pengdit, ex-director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, sentenced for two years for wrongfully implicating a former prime minister with murder charges.
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