Thaksin Shinawatra has decided to miss the scheduled court hearing, citing his hospital stay as the reason for his absence.
Thaksin Shinawatra's Court Hearing:
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, will submit a written statement at the Supreme Court's hearing on June 13 regarding allegations of insufficient enforcement of his prison sentence. His lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, shared this information, adding that Thaksin won't attend the hearing in person due to health reasons.
Thaksin's legal team will present proof of his illness to the court and evidence related to his imprisonment process and transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital. Winyat believes Thaksin's transfer adhered to the Department of Corrections' regulations and downplays any concerns about the court's inquiry.
Thaksin, 75, served an eight-year prison sentence, later reduced to one year by a royal pardon, in 2023 after returning to Thailand. Despite his imprisonment, he never spent a single night in jail and became eligible for parole after six months.
The inquiry follows a petition filed by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned the department's decision to allow Thaksin to receive treatment at the police hospital on his first night in custody. Although the court dismissed Mr Charnchai's petition, it has decided to investigate the matter itself.
Medical Justification for Transfer:
The Department of Corrections justified Thaksin's transfer to the Police General Hospital due to potential life-threatening health complications. The regulations permit inmates to receive external medical treatment for up to 120 days, but Thaksin's stay exceeded this limit due to the "life-threatening condition" exemption.
Controversies and Scrutiny:
Critics argue that the extended hospitalization bypassed standard incarceration protocols, with Thaksin never entering a general prison facility. Legal challenges question the DoC's authority to extend treatment beyond 120 days and challenge the legitimacy of the relevant regulation. The Ombudsman is examining whether the regulation violates constitutional principles or public welfare.
Defenses from Authorities:
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong maintains that all actions adhered to existing laws, with medical necessity driving the transfer. The DoC has yet to publicly detail Thaksin’s specific diagnoses but asserts that procedural safeguards were followed.
The Pheu Thai Party, the governing party, has chosen to remain silent on the matter, and the Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has faced questioning over the controversy. The judicial oversight offers a chance to set the record straight regarding Thaksin's privileged treatment concerns in the public eye.
- Winyat Chartmontri, Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer, has stated that Thaksin will submit a written statement at the June 13 Supreme Court hearing, however, he won't attend in person due to health complications.
- The Department of Corrections justified Thaksin's transfer to the Police General Hospital due to potential life-threatening health complications, citing regulations that allow inmates to receive external medical treatment for up to 120 days, with the exemption for life-threatening conditions.
- Critics have argued that Thaksin's extended hospitalization bypassed standard incarceration protocols and question the Department of Corrections' authority to extend treatment beyond 120 days, suggesting a violation of constitutional principles or public welfare.
- The Ombudsman is currently examining whether the Department of Corrections regulation that allowed Thaksin's extended hospitalization adheres to the law, given concerns of privileged treatment in the public eye.
