21-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to face arrest as he disembarks his private jet at Don Mueang Airport on Tuesday, according to police and Corrections Department officials. The news comes as Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, announced via an Instagram post on Saturday that she will be meeting her father at the airport at 9 a.m.
Authorities have devised a contingency plan in the event that Thaksin arrives after court hours. If he lands within court hours, he will be immediately taken to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office. Following that, Corrections Department officials will escort him to the Bangkok Remand Prison. However, if Thaksin’s arrival occurs after court hours, he will be temporarily detained at the Police Club overnight before being transferred to the Supreme Court the next morning.
Sources have revealed that Immigration Police will apprehend Thaksin upon his arrival, after which he will be transported to Don Mueang Police Station to record his arrest. Subsequently, he will be escorted to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division, where Corrections Department officials will assume responsibility for his custody. Aryut Sintopphan, the director-general of the Corrections Department, confirmed that Thaksin will be officially recorded as an inmate upon his handover to the Bangkok Remand Prison.
Once his records have been processed, Thaksin will undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. Given his advanced age, prison doctors will assess whether he requires special medical attention. If diagnosed with a chronic condition, a decision will be made regarding his confinement in the prison hospital.
During the initial phase of his detention, Thaksin may be permitted to receive visits solely from close relatives. However, visitation privileges will only be granted once officials ascertain that there are no contagious diseases prevalent within the prison facilities.
