Thailand’s jailed ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra moved to hospital 1 day after return from exile
- A prisons official said Thaksin was suffering from chest tightness after being jailed for eight years on Tuesday upon his return from exile
- He has pre-existing issues with his heart, lungs, spine and blood pressure, corrections department officials say, and would be monitored closely
The latest condition of 74-year-old Thaksin, the billionaire founder of the populist juggernaut Pheu Thai party, was not clear on Wednesday and his representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Corrections Department said in a statement Thaksin had felt chest tightness and high blood pressure and he was referred to Bangkok’s police hospital at around 2am on Wednesday.
02:50
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra jailed for 8 years upon return from exile
Pheu Thai’s Srettha was confirmed as prime minister having received royal endorsement, a parliament official said on Wednesday.
Police said Thaksin was hospitalised because the prison was unable to guarantee he would get the right care.
“The prison has assessed the situation and saw that it lacks doctors and medical equipment that can take care of the patient,” Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Prachuab Wongsuk said.
Director General of Department of Corrections Ayuth Sintoppant earlier said that medical staff had recommended Thaksin was referred to hospital for his own safety, adding that eight guards had accompanied him.
Most Thais oppose plan for Pheu Thai-military coalition government: poll
The Supreme Court confirmed on Tuesday that Thaksin would have to serve eight years in prison after convictions for abuse of power and conflicts of interest.
He has pre-existing issues with his heart, lungs, spine and blood pressure, and would be monitored closely, corrections department officials said on Tuesday.
The return of Thailand’s most famous politician was met with celebrations by his supporters and with blow-by-blow media coverage of arrival in Bangkok on his private jet, and his transfer to prison soon after.
His return and Srettha’s surprisingly smooth ascent to the top job will add to speculation that the influential Thaksin had struck a deal with his foes in the military and political establishment for his safe return and, possibly, an early release from jail. Thaksin and Pheu Thai have denied that any such deal exists.
Thaksin is eligible for a royal pardon and either the former leader or any of his relatives can initiate a petition, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam told reporters on Wednesday. While it’s not clear if a plea has been initiated already, the process might take one to two months, according to Sitthi Sutivong, deputy director general of Department of Corrections.
There are no prerequisite conditions to receive a royal pardon and Thaksin can apply for it either as an individual or collectively along with other prisoners, said Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen, a lawyer at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The former leader may seek remission as an individual as group pardons are granted generally during holidays marking royal occasions, she said.
While police and jail officials didn’t say how long Thaksin will remain in hospital, Wissanu said there’s no set time-frame on medical treatment for prison inmates. Under the rules, Thaksin will have to return to the prison once he fully recovers from his ailments, Poonsukk said.
The former prime minister had long argued that the cases against him were politically motivated, but said he was willing to face justice in order to return home and see his grandchildren in his old age.
Loved by millions of rural Thais for his populist policies in the early 2000s, Thaksin is reviled by the country’s royalist and pro-military establishment, which has spent much of the past two decades trying to keep him and his allies out of power.
Thailand’s Pheu Thai gain backing from rival party to form government
Additional reporting by Bloomberg, Agence France-Presse
