Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not seeking special detention outside of Klong Prem Central Prison, his lawyer said after a family visit on September 15. Winyat Chartmontree, who represents the ex-premier, told reporters that any request to transfer Thaksin to an alternative place of detention would be pursued only in strict accordance with the Department of Corrections’ rules — and that such a petition had not yet been filed.
First family visit after initial detention
Winyat paid a visit to Thaksin at the Ngamwongwan Road facility on the first day family visits were permitted following his seven-day initial detention. The lawyer described the meeting as calm and routine: they exchanged greetings, discussed work matters and shared a few light moments. According to Winyat, Thaksin responded with a wry smile when told that Red Shirt supporters had been sending daily messages of encouragement — reportedly replying, “Every day?”
Conditions and health
Winyat emphasised that Thaksin is being held under standard conditions, with no special privileges. He has been placed in the ward reserved for elderly inmates and is under normal prison security arrangements. The lawyer confirmed Thaksin is coping with chronic health issues, including high blood pressure and stress, but said the former prime minister is taking steps to manage his health while incarcerated.
Family members have not asked for any special treatment, Winyat added, and Thaksin himself has not made demands beyond his ordinary rights as an inmate. The lawyer also indicated an intention to visit as often as possible, saying he hopes to see Thaksin daily when circumstances allow.
Legal steps, rumours and privacy
On the subject of a possible transfer out of prison, Winyat was clear that “the time has not yet come” to file a formal request. Any future petition, he stressed, would have to comply with established procedures and be evaluated by the appropriate authorities within the corrections system.
Winyat also addressed rumours linking Thaksin to Cambodia, calling such reports false and warning that legal action would be taken to deal with misinformation. He declined to discuss matters related to Thaksin’s assets, describing such issues as private family affairs and outside the scope of today’s visit.
Keeping an eye on national affairs
Though in detention, Winyat said Thaksin continues to show concern about national developments. The lawyer stopped short of revealing private conversations between Thaksin and family members but indicated that the former prime minister remains engaged with ongoing affairs — at least as much as prison rules and his health allow.
This visit follows a high-profile period in which legal proceedings and political controversy have surrounded the Shinawatra family. (Winyat was also photographed arriving at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on August 22 as a 2015 lèse-majesté verdict was announced.) But, for now, prison officials have kept Thaksin’s detention routine and consistent with standard prisoner treatment.
What comes next
For the time being, both the family and the legal team appear intent on following due process. If a request for detention outside the prison is to be made, it will be done through official channels and evaluated under existing Department of Corrections criteria. Until then, Thaksin remains in Klong Prem’s elderly ward, receiving visits and managing his health under ordinary custody conditions.
Supporters continue to voice encouragement, family visits continue under standard rules, and the legal team remains on hand to monitor developments — stepping in if and when formal appeals or petitions are necessary.
This smells like political theater to me — saying he doesn’t want a transfer while everyone’s watching sounds like damage control, not transparency.
Why would they lie about something so simple? Maybe they just want people to calm down and stop protesting.
I get that, but when a former PM with influence is in prison, every small statement matters and can be used to shape public opinion.
From a legal and corrections perspective, insisting on following Department of Corrections rules is predictable and pragmatic, but it does little to address the political optics or the health concerns of a high-profile detainee.
So are they just gonna follow rules forever or make exceptions? Seems like rules are for some people and not others.
If his health is precarious they should consider house arrest or hospital detention, regardless of politics — humane treatment matters.
Humane, sure, but then you open the door to elite escape clauses. Where do you draw the line between compassion and privilege?
You draw it based on medical evidence and transparent oversight, not secrecy or favoritism; otherwise the system loses legitimacy.
Transparent oversight is a fantasy in highly politicized cases. People will always accuse the authorities of bias no matter what.
Is anyone else concerned about the rumours tying him to Cambodia? Those stories pop up whenever it suits someone’s narrative.
Rumours can be weaponized; the lawyer’s warning about legal action suggests an intent to deter misinformation, but legal threats alone don’t correct public discourse.
Exactly, public trust isn’t rebuilt by threats. There needs to be evidence and clarity, not courtroom PR.
Evidence is fine, but in the court of public opinion people care more about gut feelings than facts.
I think the family is playing it smart: follow the rules, show respectability, and avoid fueling protests that could get violent.
Playing it smart for whom? For the family’s image or for genuine reconciliation? Those aren’t the same thing.
For both, if possible. Damage control can be a pathway to calmer negotiations if done sincerely.
Sincerity is the hard part. Too many players benefit from chaos, so I remain suspicious.
He’s in the elderly ward and getting visits — that seems reasonable and humane given his age and conditions.
Reasonable maybe, but the optics of a former PM in a typical ward will feed narratives on both sides; optics matter in politics.
Optics matter, yes, but so does precedent. Granting special treatment could create inequities longer term.
Legally, any transfer request would need solid medical documentation and must meet statutory criteria; otherwise it risks being struck down on appeal.
So he should just wait for paperwork? That feels cold when blood pressure and stress are involved.
Medical risk must be balanced with legal standards; courts can mandate hospital detention if evidence shows imminent harm, but it requires due process.
Due process is slow though. People can get worse while everyone waits for forms and signatures.
Exactly, legalism sometimes sacrifices human life for procedure, and that’s worrying.
My teacher says no one is above the law, but this feels like politics more than justice.
Your teacher is right in principle, but in practice power skews the system; that’s what people are reacting to.
So should people protest then? I don’t want chaos but I want fairness.
The lawyer visiting daily sounds sympathetic but also scripted; I’ve seen too many staged photo-ops like this in other countries.
Staged appearances do happen, but consistent family presence can also be genuine support and a buffer against mistreatment.
It might be both. Human behavior is complicated and so is politics — we should scrutinize but not immediately assume deceit.
Scrutiny is fine, but constant cynicism poisons debate. Sometimes people act out of care, not PR strategy.