27-9-2023 (BANGKOK) Senator Somchai Sawangkarn has officially confirmed that the incarcerated former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is set to become eligible for early release in February, having completed half of his one-year jail term.
Chairing the Senate committee responsible for human rights, civil liberties, and consumer protection, Senator Somchai disclosed that despite Thaksin’s initial eight-year sentence having been commuted to just one year, he remains entitled to a reduction in his prison term.
Upon his return from self-imposed exile, Thaksin sought a royal pardon from His Majesty the King, leading to the reduction of his sentence.
Quoting the Department of Corrections, Senator Somchai explained that prisoners must serve at least one-third of their sentences to qualify for a sentence reduction on special occasions. In Thaksin’s case, he will have fulfilled one-third of his prison sentence by December 20 and will reach the halfway point in February.
Additionally, Senator Somchai mentioned that Thaksin’s age, 74, and his chronic health conditions render him eligible for a suspended jail term after serving six months. In this scenario, an electronic monitoring (EM) ankle bracelet would be unnecessary. Instead, he may be confined to his residence and prohibited from international travel. This six-month period also encompasses his time spent in the hospital.
The information provided by Senator Somchai was sourced from Department of Corrections representatives who appeared before his committee to discuss the healthcare services provided to inmates and address queries surrounding Thaksin’s case.
Thaksin was admitted to the Police General Hospital on the night of August 22, approximately 13 hours after his imprisonment began. He has remained at the hospital for over a month, raising questions about preferential treatment.
Representatives from various agencies, including the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Police General Hospital, Justice Ministry, and the Corrections Hospital, were invited to respond to the committee’s inquiries.
Senator Somchai highlighted that Thaksin’s stay at the hospital is being supervised by the Department of Corrections with the assistance of the police. Nevertheless, the committee was not provided with details about Thaksin’s recent surgery, as its representative was not involved in his care, and health information is protected by law.
The committee urged the RTP and Police General Hospital to inform the public about the expected duration of Thaksin’s stay at the hospital before his transfer back to the Corrections Hospital.
