Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s arrival at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok on August 18 has set off a whirlwind of activity and investigation. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is delving into whether Thaksin received special treatment during his stay at the Police General Hospital. On Friday, NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol shared that they have amassed a significant amount of information and are inching closer to determining if there’s enough evidence to launch formal questioning.
Despite their efforts, footage from the hospital’s 14th floor, where Thaksin was treated, remains elusive. Mr. Niwatchai stated that both the Department of Corrections and Police General Hospital had been approached for this footage, but nothing has been handed over yet. When questioned about the delay, he suggested the NACC might first need to confirm the footage’s existence and usability.
Moreover, the NACC has been hunting down Thaksin’s medical records and a myriad of related documents. Only a portion of these has been procured so far. Mr. Niwatchai explained that the NACC holds the legal clout to probe refusals and verify the rationale behind them.
On Thursday, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, made headlines by announcing his party’s departure from the Pheu Thai-led coalition. He hinted that he held ‘many secrets’ about Thaksin, especially regarding his hospital conditions. Pol Gen Sereepisuth is eagerly awaiting an invitation from the NACC to spill the beans.
Mr. Niwatchai addressed this, saying officials would assess whether summoning Pol Gen Sereepisuth for questioning is essential.
In a parallel development, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) found evidence suggesting Thaksin received preferential treatment over other prisoners. Mr. Niwatchai reassured that the NACC would consider these findings in alignment with the constitution’s definition of supporting evidence.
Adding another layer to the saga, a high-ranking NACC source disclosed that the commission plans to summon officials from the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Police General Hospital. These officials will need to shed light on the correctional officers’ responsibilities and the medical treatment Thaksin received.
Reports suggest over 100 correctional officers and executives from the Department of Corrections were involved during Thaksin’s hospital treatment. Each of them will be called to testify before the NACC, signaling that this investigation is far from over and promises more revelations down the line.
This investigation is nothing but a witch hunt. Thaksin did amazing things for Thailand, and now they’re just trying to drag him through the mud!
Amazing things? Like corruption and abusing power? He deserves to be investigated thoroughly.
Every politician has their flaws, but singling him out like this is just political games.
Political games or not, the public deserves to know the truth. Transparency is key.
I wonder why the hospital footage is missing. Seems suspicious to me.
Maybe it’s just an error? Hospitals are hectic places, not everything gets recorded properly.
Or maybe it’s deliberately gone. People in power always find ways to cover up their tracks.
Medical ethics should prevent this kind of tampering. We trust healthcare facilities for honest conduct.
If Thaksin got preferential treatment, so what? He’s a former PM. He should have some privileges for his service.
No one is above the law. Former PM or not, equality should be maintained.
Equality is ideal, sure, but reality isn’t always ideal. Respect for his past contributions should be considered.
This whole case sounds like it could be a gripping TV drama! The intrigue, secrets, and betrayals!
True, but reality can be stranger and more complex than fiction.
Yeah, but the problem is the real lives getting affected by this. It’s not just entertainment.
Why is Pol Gen Sereepisuth holding onto these ‘secrets’? If he knows something, he should just come out with it!
It’s all about leverage. He’ll reveal things when it benefits him the most.
By teasing these secrets, he keeps himself relevant. Classic political maneuvering.
Investigations like these take time. We should allow the NACC to complete their work thoroughly without jumping to conclusions.
True, but transparency is essential. Dragging it out too long only increases suspicion.
100 correctional officers for one person? That’s an overkill. Our resources could be better utilized elsewhere!
It does sound excessive. But maybe they had valid security concerns.
Corruption investigations are critical, but they often get used as tools for political gain.
Exactly. We need fair and unbiased investigations, but that’s so rare.
If Thaksin is innocent, why not just comply with the investigation? Innocent people have nothing to hide.
Sometimes, the legal process itself can be a punishment. It’s not always black and white.
I get that, but cooperation could also fast-track the whole process. Proving innocence once and for all.
This whole ordeal will probably end up in another wild goose chase. Too many political agendas at play.
The NHRC’s involvement is interesting. Human rights can’t be ignored in corruption cases!
I feel bad for the correctional officers and medical staff who have to deal with these high-profile cases. They’re being dragged into this mess too.
This investigation could be a turning point for how we handle corruption in Thailand.
Or it could just be another example of how deeply entrenched corruption is in our system.
Isn’t it crazy how someone’s hospital stay can become a national scandal? Just goes to show how polarized things have become.