Asia (Page 1,318)

The Justice Ministry has denied media reports that former premier Thaksin has been transferred from the Police General Hospital to a privately run facility.

Sahakan Phetnarin, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, yesterday insisted that Thaksin was not transferred to a privately run hospital as reported, but the ministry cannot provide a picture of the former PM as an inmate or a patient as proof due to his rights.

“Thaksin remains in the custody of a prison although he is being treated at the Police General Hospital,” Mr Sahakan said.

He said he is also confident that the Police General Hospital has better equipment to treat Thaksin, in line with a memorandum of understanding on the transfer of patients signed between the Department of Corrections and the Royal Thai Police. During treatment in the hospital, Thaksin is guarded by four prison staff for his safety, he said.

He stressed that Thaksin has underlying illnesses, including ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and spondylosis.

Under the regulations, the number of family members and relatives allowed to visit Thaksin must not exceed 10, he said. They must inform Bangkok Remand Prison in advance before visiting Thaksin during treatment in hospital, he said.

Visits in the first five days are prohibited due to a quarantine, he said, adding aside from family members, only important persons, such as diplomats, are allowed to visit. Doctors will determine if Thaksin is well enough to return to prison, he said.

Nastee Thongplad, chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, said 10 people have requested to see Thaksin, but the details were withheld.

A police source said that Pol Maj Gen Nakarin Sukhonthawit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, has received a request from Pathumwan police station, asking for a deployment of officers to help ensure Thaksin’s safety during his treatment in hospital from Aug 24–31.

When asked about Thaksin’s treatment, Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru, chief physician of the Police General Hospital, said he would meet with a team to get an update on the ex-PM.

Srettha eyes finance role as PT haggles

Speculation is intensifying about the lineup of the next cabinet with coalition-leader Pheu Thai and its ally, Bhumjaithai, haggling over the interior portfolio, according to sources.

Newly appointed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is expected to concurrently serve as finance minister while a close associate of outgoing prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is tipped for the post of defence minister.

According to Pheu Thai sources, coalition allies are still bargaining for their share of cabinet seats as Pheu Thai wants to take the helm at the Interior and Transport Ministries.

In particular, Pheu Thai seeks to use the Interior Ministry as a platform to solidify its support bases and win back supporters who were upset after the party decided to team up with its former foes — the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, the sources said.

The sources added that deputy Pheu Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai is tipped to serve as deputy prime minister as well as the interior minister.

However, Bhumjaithai also has its eye on the interior portfolio, the sources said, adding that Pheu Thai may let it take the labour minister post instead as a consolation prize.

Meanwhile, Suriya Jungrungreangkit of Pheu Thai is expected to become transport minister without any credible rivals, the sources said.

The sources went on to say Mr Srettha is expected to concurrently serve as finance minister while Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, a former secretary-general of the National Security Council and a close associate of Gen Prayut, is seen as taking the defence portfolio.

Sutin Klungsang previously emerged as a candidate for the defence minister post, only for this to be met with fierce resistance from the military top brass, meaning he will most likely have to take the post of education minister instead, the sources said.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew is expected to become the public health minister, while party secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong has his eyes on the digital economy and society minister post, and Julapun Amornvivat of Pheu Thai covets the role of foreign affairs minister, the sources said.

Deputy prime ministers from Pheu Thai are expected to include Somsak Thepsutin and Chusak Sirinil.

According to the sources, Capt Thamanat Prompow, the PPRP’s secretary-general, will emerge as the agriculture and cooperatives minister while Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the party’s chief adviser and the younger brother of party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, is expected to serve as deputy prime minister and natural resources and environment minister.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul is expected to become a deputy prime minister while Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob, younger brother of the party’s co-founder, Newin Chidchob, is likely to serve as labour minister, the sources said, adding the party would also be allocated the social development and human security portfolio.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the UTN leader, is expected to become energy minister and Supattanapong Panmeechaow, a UTN list MP, is tipped for the post of industry minister.

Chartthaipattana leader Varawut Silpa-archa is gunning for commerce minister while Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, a list MP of the Prachachat Party, would become justice minister, the sources said.

Mr Srettha paid a courtesy call on Gen Prayut at Government House yesterday. “Gen Prayut was nice and showed me around,” he said.

“He told me I am from the business sector, and I may have a different working approach,” Mr Srettha said. “He said there are several other sectors that also need to be taken into account. He asked me to carry on with any decent policies he initiated.”

On Tuesday, a joint sitting of the House and Senate elected Mr Srettha as the new prime minister with 482 votes for, 165 against and 81 abstentions.

The former property tycoon received royal endorsement to serve as the nation’s 30th prime minister on Wednesday.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has set up a team tasked with directing an ongoing police investigation into the alleged extortion of about 140 million baht from an online gambling network by a Chon Buri police chief and nine others back in May.

Wacharin Phanurat, deputy chief of the OAG’s Department of Investigation (DoI), was assigned on Wednesday to head the team, OAG spokesman Kosolwat Inthuchanyong said yesterday.

Prior to Mr Wacharin’s appointment, DoI chief Kunthanit Mongkonsawat had called a meeting on Wednesday with the team following an instruction by Attorney-General Naree Thanthasathian to do so, the spokesman said.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had ordered the return of the extortion case to the police and asked the team to help with the rest of the investigation, he said.

Police had forwarded the case to the NACC, along with a request for it to handle the case as police believed it involved malfeasance, but the NACC apparently didn’t agree, he said.

In June, three Chon Buri police officers, who were among 10 parties accused of being involved in the 140-million-baht extortion, petitioned the OAG to look into the police investigation against them.

They were Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai, deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri; Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, an investigator at Nong Kham station; and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert, deputy commander of Phlu Ta Luang station.

They reportedly became concerned after a report said they had violated new regulations requiring officers to take video and audio recordings during arrest procedures from the beginning to the end. The three said they didn’t follow the new regulations and asked the OAG to look into how other police were investigating their case, fearing they may be unfairly treated.

On May 23, the three arrested Thaninwat Udomchaowaset, the prime suspect behind the illegal gambling site Foxbet168 in Bangkok. However, there were no video or audio recordings of the arrest.

During the arrest, the three allegedly took Mr Thaninwat to meet Chon Buri police chief Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapapor, where the alleged extortion attempt occurred.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has set up a team tasked with directing an ongoing police investigation into the alleged extortion of about 140 million baht from an online gambling network by a Chon Buri police chief and nine others back in May.

Wacharin Phanurat, deputy chief of the OAG’s Department of Investigation (DoI), was assigned on Wednesday to head the team, OAG spokesman Kosolwat Inthuchanyong said yesterday.

Prior to Mr Wacharin’s appointment, DoI chief Kunthanit Mongkonsawat had called a meeting on Wednesday with the team following an instruction by Attorney-General Naree Thanthasathian to do so, the spokesman said.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had ordered the return of the extortion case to the police and asked the team to help with the rest of the investigation, he said.

Police had forwarded the case to the NACC, along with a request for it to handle the case as police believed it involved malfeasance, but the NACC apparently didn’t agree, he said.

In June, three Chon Buri police officers, who were among 10 parties accused of being involved in the 140-million-baht extortion, petitioned the OAG to look into the police investigation against them.

They were Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai, deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri; Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, an investigator at Nong Kham station; and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert, deputy commander of Phlu Ta Luang station.

They reportedly became concerned after a report said they had violated new regulations requiring officers to take video and audio recordings during arrest procedures from the beginning to the end. The three said they didn’t follow the new regulations and asked the OAG to look into how other police were investigating their case, fearing they may be unfairly treated.

On May 23, the three arrested Thaninwat Udomchaowaset, the prime suspect behind the illegal gambling site Foxbet168 in Bangkok. However, there were no video or audio recordings of the arrest.

During the arrest, the three allegedly took Mr Thaninwat to meet Chon Buri police chief Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapapor, where the alleged extortion attempt occurred.