High Court to deliberate on whether Thaksin completed his prison sentence
Rewritten Article:
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Politicians, on a Wednesday whirlwind, has decided to delve into the question of whether Thaksin Shinawatra truly served his prison term. This bold move comes after dismissing a petition from ex-Democrat MP, Charnchai Issarasenarak, who challenged Thaksin's hospital stay and parole as being equivalent to serving time in a real prison.
The court firmly proclaimed Charnchai as an outsider in the Thaksin case, swiftly shooting down his lawsuit. However, interestingly, despite dismissing the petition, the court signaled its authority to probe deeper into the matter due to allegations suggesting Thaksin's potential evasion of serving his full-fledged prison sentence.
The court officials have now ordered the Bangkok Remand Prison governor, the Director-General of the Department of Corrections, and the Director-General of Police General Hospital to clarify within 30 days concerning Thaksin's prison term execution. As per the court order, the hearing will commence at 9:30 am on June 13, 2025.
Thaksin, once an exile, returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, after more than a decade. Upon arrival, he was sentenced to a whopping eight-year stint in three cases, later commuted to one solitary year through royal clemency, due to his shady dealings as a prime minister prior to 2006.
Less than 13 hours after entering the Bangkok Remand Prison, Thaksin was whisked away to Police General Hospital, continuing his stay there until he secured parole early in 2024. All these moves raised concerns over possible special treatment. Upon his hospital release, Thaksin's remarkable health recovery sparked controversy, prompting the Medical Council of Thailand to launch an investigation. The Opposition also alleged deceptive illness during the recent censure debate.
In response, officials have consistently voiced confidentiality safeguards and the risks associated with Thaksin's potential return to prison.
- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Politicians has signaled its intent to investigate Thaksin Shinawatra's case, citing allegations suggesting potential evasion of a full-fledged prison sentence.
- The court has ordered several officials, including the governor of Bangkok Remand Prison, to clarify Thaksin's prison term execution within 30 days.
- The Court's decision to probe deeper into the matter comes amidst controversies surrounding Thaksin's hospital stay, parole, and possible special treatment, stemming from his eight-year stint in prison that was later commuted to one year.
- The impending hearing, scheduled for 9:30 am on June 13, 2025, is generating political, general-news, and crime-and-justice interest, as Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, continues to be a significant figure in Thailand's war-and-conflicts and politics.
