22-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, now finds himself in the confines of a private room within the medical ward at Bangkok Remand Prison. This comes after the Supreme Court sentenced the 74-year-old politician to eight years in prison, marking Thaksin’s first return to Thailand in 15 years.
The head of the Department of Corrections, Aryut Sinthoppan, addressed the media to outline the department’s plans for Thaksin’s incarceration. Given Thaksin’s underlying health conditions, including heart and lung problems, he will be under constant medical supervision.
Mr. Aryut assured that Thaksin would receive adequate security, suitable living conditions, proper food and drinking water, and visits from family, associates, and representatives of various organizations. Thaksin will be provided with a designated space for these interactions.
Considering Thaksin’s age and health, his medical well-being will be closely monitored, and the Department of Corrections Hospital doctors have already diagnosed him with four underlying diseases, as disclosed by Sithi Sutheewong, the department’s deputy director-general.
Thaksin’s initial placement is in a separate room in Zone 7, the medical center of Bangkok Remand Prison, where he will be under constant observation.
There’s speculation that Thaksin may seek a royal pardon to expedite his release. He is eligible to apply for a royal pardon from his first day in jail, as confirmed by Mr. Sitthi. The application process involves a committee of the Department of Corrections, the Justice Ministry, and the Prime Minister before reaching His Majesty the King for consideration. Thaksin falls under the category of individuals, which could result in the process taking one to two months, depending on documentation and royal discretion.
If a pardon isn’t granted, the applicant must wait two years before applying again, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Wattanachai Mingbancherdsuk, director of the Department of Corrections Hospital, has stated that Thaksin’s medical records reveal four underlying conditions: heart disease, a lung ailment, high blood pressure, and spondylosis (degeneration of the bones and discs in the spine). Due to these conditions, Thaksin is classified as a vulnerable inmate requiring close monitoring.
Nastee Thongplad, chief of the Bangkok Remand Prison, explained that all inmates, including Thaksin, are required to maintain short hair and wear white shirts. Thaksin’s room has electric fans but no air conditioning, with an adjoining room for medical staff.
Among other notable prisoners at Bangkok Remand Prison are Boonsong Teriyapirom, a former commerce minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, who is due to be released on April 21, 2028, after receiving a 48-year sentence for corruption related to the government’s rice-pledging scheme. Tarit Pengdit, former director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, is also serving time for pursuing murder charges against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban during the 2010 Bangkok protests.
