Court deliberates on Thaksin's fishy extension of stay
Thaksin Shinawatra's future hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court dives into an investigation of his prison sentence enforcement, according to a political academic. The Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has initiated an inquiry, following a petition filed by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who claims Thaksin received special treatment during his hospital stay while serving a prison sentence.
The inquiry stems from concerns over the Department of Corrections (DoC) allowing Thaksin, generally considered the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, to seek treatment at the Police General Hospital (PGH) away from Bangkok Remand Prison, without court approval. Critics argue this violated the Criminal Code, and Charnchai is requesting an arrest warrant for Thaksin.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed Charnchai's petition on April 30, stating he was not an affected party in any of the cases. Nevertheless, the court has the authority to look into the matter as it pertains to the proper enforcement of the prison sentence.
Copies of the petition will be sent to the plaintiffs in the cases, Thaksin, the defendants, as well as the commander of Bangkok Remand Prison, the director-general of the DoC, and the chief of PGH. These parties are obligated to respond within thirty days, and a hearing for the inquiry is set for June 13.
The inquiry's outcome could have significant political and legal ramifications for Thaksin, potentially sending him back to jail to serve his one-year prison sentence in full. Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party may face consequences if Thaksin is found guilty of violating the law, potentially demoralizing party members and supporters, according to political science lecturer Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket.
If Thaksin is acquitted, the case will likely have little impact on him, but the hearing on June 13 promises to be a pivotal moment, impacting public trust in the justice system and potentially igniting fresh political conflict amid ongoing economic and domestic political challenges, said Phichai.
The Supreme Court's decision to launch its own inquiry may increase scrutiny of the DoC and PGH's roles in this case, but Thaksin still has enough time to prepare a legal defense, Phichai noted.
Further legal challenges may still await Thaksin: he faces another court date for an alleged violation of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as the lese majeste law. In this case, Thaksin is accused of violating the law during an interview in 2015. A witness examination has been scheduled for July.
The outcome of the court's inquiry could solidify or erode public trust in the country's justice system. Regardless of the outcome, political ramifications are likely to follow, as the inquiry touches on issues of judicial accountability, legal precedent, and political influence.
- Political academics, such as Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, have suggested that the outcome of the Supreme Court's inquiry into Thaksin Shinawatra's prison sentence enforcement could have significant political ramifications for him.
- If Thaksin is found guilty of violating the law during the court's inquiry, the Pheu Thai Party may face consequences, potentially demoralizing party members and supporters, according to political science lecturer Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket.
- The hearing on June 13 for the inquiry into Thaksin's prison sentence enforcement promises to be a pivotal moment, impacting public trust in the justice system and potentially igniting fresh political conflict amid ongoing economic and domestic political challenges.
- Thaksin Shinawatra still has another court date to face, as he is accused of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code during an interview in 2015, and a witness examination has been scheduled for July.
