Thaksin will avoid the court session due to hospitalization.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to make his case in a court hearing on June 13, regarding claims that his prison sentence wasn't fully served. His lawyer has confirmed Thaksin won't attend the hearing in person, and will instead submit a written statement accompanied by evidence of his illness and documentation detailing his imprisonment process and transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital.

The lawyer is confident Thaksin's transfer complied with the Department of Corrections' regulations, stressing that all procedural steps were followed. Thaksin, 75, was given an eight-year sentence (later reduced to one year by a royal pardon) following his return to Thailand in 2023, and never spent a night behind bars. Instead, he was allowed to stay at the Police General Hospital for six months due to reported health issues.

This hearing comes after a petition filed by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned the department's decision to allow Thaksin medical treatment at the police hospital on his first night in custody. Although the court initially dismissed Charnchai's petition, it decided to launch its own investigation into the matter.

Now, the controversial case is being scrutinized, with Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party staying mum on the issue. The governing party has opted to remain neutral, citing concern that their comments may be perceived as contempt of court.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter, has also faced questioning over the controversy during a recent parliamentary censure debate. Minister Chousak Sirinil insists Thaksin's hospital detention was indeed a form of detention, and that corrections officials held the authority to manage the court's sentence.

Meanwhile, the legality of Thaksin's extended medical treatment outside prison and the details of the corresponding regulations are being debated. Critics contend that Thaksin's privileged hospital stay has further fueled allegations of preferential treatment. Further probes by anti-corruption, ombudsman, and medical councils are ongoing, though they face criticism for their perceived delays.

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, will submit a written statement in a court hearing on June 13, presenting evidence of his illness and documentation of his imprisonment process, addressing claims about his incomplete prison sentence.
The hearing follows the filing of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned the Department of Corrections' decision to allow Thaksin medical treatment at the police hospital on his first night in custody, with the court deciding to launch an investigation into the matter.
Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party is remaining neutral on the issue, citing concerns that their comments may be perceived as contempt of court, while Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter, faced queries over the controversy during a recent parliamentary censure debate.
The legality of Thaksin's extended medical treatment outside prison and the related regulations are being debated, with critics accusing Thaksin of receiving preferential treatment due to his privileged hospital stay.
Anti-corruption, ombudsman, and medical councils are carrying out ongoing investigations into the matter, but are facing criticism for perceived delays in their probes.