Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is set to officially complete his one-year prison term on August 31, as confirmed by the Department of Corrections (DoC). This news comes despite his confinement of choice being the Police General Hospital instead of a jail cell. DoC director-general Sahakarn Petchnarin clarified on Friday that August 31 marks Thaksin’s release date because the term was calculated from the day a royal pardon was received, not from his initial imprisonment.
Thaksin applied for a royal pardon on August 31, which was granted on September 1. Following this, officials will issue him a certificate of innocence, symbolizing the official end of his sentence.
Mr. Sahakarn assured the public that the DoC is prepared to address claims of providing special privileges to Thaksin, especially after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced plans to lodge a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NHRC claims that the DoC and the Police General Hospital failed to perform their duties appropriately by allowing Thaksin to stay at the hospital for an extended period of six months.
The DoC director-general firmly stated that all inmates are treated equally, with no room for favoritism. NHRC commissioner Wasan Paileeklee added that the commission began investigating Thaksin’s case after receiving a petition last November, which called for an inquiry into the operations of Bangkok Remand Prison and the Police General Hospital.
After 15 years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin returned to Thailand on August 22 last year. Upon return, he was swiftly taken to the Supreme Court, which handed him an eight-year prison sentence across three cases. This sentence was later reduced to one year by royal clemency.
On his first night at Bangkok Remand Prison, Thaksin was transferred to the Police General Hospital due to medical concerns, including chest pain, hypertension, and low blood oxygen levels. Legally, he was allowed to receive treatment outside the prison for up to 120 days until December 22. However, the DoC extended his hospital stay beyond this period. Thaksin was eventually paroled and discharged from the hospital on February 18, after which Mr. Wasan noted he went directly home without further hospital treatment.
It’s clearly a case of preferential treatment. No other prisoner would get to stay in a hospital for six months!
I agree, it sets a dangerous precedent. Politicians should face the same penalties as any other citizen.
But let’s not forget, Thaksin has genuine health issues. Are we to ignore medical needs just to prove a point?
If it’s truly a medical necessity, that’s one thing. But the timing and location make it highly suspicious.
Plus, why does he get released early because of a pardon? Seems like the rules don’t apply equally.
The royal pardon is a legitimate process. If we have issues with it, we should address the system, not the individual.
True, but it’s hard to ignore how these processes seem to benefit the wealthy and powerful disproportionately.
Absolutely, wealth does influence. But are we suggesting everyone disliked by the public should be denied proper legal avenues?
Legal avenues should be transparent and fair, not manipulated for specific individuals.
Shouldn’t we focus more on whether Thaksin genuinely changed during his term and less on the logistics?
Honestly, this whole situation reflects poorly on the justice system. The public’s trust is at risk, and that’s a big deal.
Well, Thaksin only returned after a decade and a half in exile. That alone speaks volumes about his circumstances.
Or maybe it speaks volumes about his ability to avoid consequences until he had to face them.
You might be right, but we should also consider the political climate he returned to. It can’t be easy.
The NHRC’s role in this is crucial. We need independent bodies to scrutinize such high-profile cases.
But will the NHRC’s investigations lead to any real change? Or will it just be another report that fades away?
That’s a valid concern. Accountability is rarely followed through in high stakes cases.
Well, we can always hope for change. Transparency and public pressure can sometimes work wonders.
Does anyone actually believe that ‘all inmates are treated equally’? Such a naive statement by the DoC.
Yeah, that claim is laughable. Everyone knows there’s a stark difference in treatment based on status.
Let’s focus on ensuring no such special treatment happens in the future, rather than just tearing down Thaksin.
Isn’t anyone concerned why Thaksin required special medical treatment only days after returning?
Exactly. The timing of his medical conditions is too convenient to be a coincidence.
Or maybe, returning to face his punishment had a serious impact on his health.
If the elite can manipulate the system, then reform is long overdue.
Let’s hope the attention on this case brings some much-needed reforms to our justice system.
It’ll be interesting to see what changes, if any, come out of this situation.
I just think it’s a shame that a royal pardon is even an option. Everyone should serve their full sentence.
The royal pardon system can be a mixed bag. Sometimes it’s used appropriately, but it should be stricter.
Thaksin’s influence in Thailand’s politics is undeniable. His early release could have wider implications.
Yeah, like questionability of integrity in future political decisions.
True, this case might impact public trust in political figures broadly.
This whole affair is more about Thai politics than Thaksin himself. It’s a symptom of a larger problem.