High Court to determine if Thaksin fulfilled his prison sentence requirement

High Court to determine if Thaksin fulfilled his prison sentence requirement

Alright, let's dive into the latest drama surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra, the exiled former PM who recently returned to Thailand. The Supreme Court's Criminal Case Division, specifically aimed at political bigwigs, has taken up the intriguing question of whether ol' Thaksin truly served his prison time.

It all started when Charnchai Issarasenarak, a former Democrat MP, petitions the court, demanding answers about whether Thaksin's stays at Police General Hospital equated to actual time behind bars. But sadly for Charnchai, the court dismissed his suit, stating him to be an uninvolved party in the Thaksin case.

However, the court didn't shut the door entirely. Instead, they declared their right to investigate the issue, due to the warning sign that Thaksin's sentence might not have been properly served. They've given Bangkok Remand Prison, the Department of Corrections, and Police General Hospital sources a month to clarify the situation.

The court then set the hearing for 9.30 am on June 13. Keep an eye out for that one, people!

Back in August 23, 2023, Thaksin stepped foot in Thailand once more, after years of self-exile. Upon arrival, he was slapped with an eight-year sentence in three cases, later whittled down to one year through royal clemency. After being sent straight to Bangkok Remand Prison, things got a bit murky—Thaksin was moved to Police General Hospital for health reasons within 13 hours of entering prison.

Questions about his early parole, privileged treatment, and miraculous health recovery have raised eyebrows. Critics demanded proof of his sickness, while the Medical Council of Thailand decided to look into the allegations. In defense, officials pointed to the confidentiality of patient data and Thaksin's potential risk to life if he returned to prison.

Here's what we know, in summary:

• Return from Exile (August 23, 2023)Thaksin came back to Thailand and was immediately sentenced to eight years (later reduced to one year by royal clemency).
• DetentionBriefly held at Bangkok Remand Prison before being transferred to Police General Hospital for health reasons.
• ReleaseParoled after serving part of his reduced sentence, still receiving treatment outside prison.

Now, the spotlight's back on Thailand's Supreme Court, as they dig deeper into whether Thaksin's hospital stay was legit imprisonment. We'll be following this story closely in the coming weeks and will let you know if anything new pops up. So stay tuned!

1. The Supreme Court of Thailand has taken up the case of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former PM, to investigate whether his stays at the Police General Hospital were actual prison time served.
2. The court's decision to investigate stems from concerns that Thaksin's sentence might not have been properly served, as indicated by his transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital.
3. In the general news and crime-and-justice sectors, Thaksin Shinawatra's case has been the topic of debate, citing questions about his early parole, privileged treatment, and the legitimacy of his hospital stay as a form of imprisonment.
4. Interests in Thaksin's case remain high, as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on June 13 to further discuss the legitimacy of Thaksin Shinawatra's hospital stay as a form of imprisonment, amidst ongoing politics and war-and-conflicts in Thailand.

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