PUBLISHED: 4 Nov 2024 at 05: 10
A House committee will meet on Thursday to look into claims that former prime ministerThaksin Shinawatrawas given privileged treatment during his detention at the Police General Hospital (PGH).
The committee on state protection, border affairs, national plan and reform will meet to discuss ways to reform the justice system, but questions surrounding Thaksin’s reported wealthy care while being detained may also be included on the convention’s plan, a source said.
The council is chaired by Rangsiman Rome, a record MP of the main opposition Women’s Party.
Leaders will be invited to give information, including Sari Ruam Thai Party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, former assistant federal police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, PDH doctors Pol Lt Gen Taweesilp Wechawitarn, and the chairman of the Medical Correctional Institution, Wattanachai Mingbancherdsuk.
The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ) released a report on July 30 that raised concerns about preferential treatment for inmates, particularly former prime minister Thaksin.
The statement made reference to ambiguous rules governing the transfer of prisoners who require medical care and who can sit outside of jail without proper checks.
The NHRC statement says this rules, issued on Sept 25, 2020, was signed by Mr Somsak Thepsutin, the justice secretary at that time, with the approval of a changes commission.
The rules, it said, could lead to misuse of power, as prison officials simply need approval from the director-general of Corrections, who is then required to report to the Justice Minister or the agency’s continuous director.
According to the report, this flaw allowed Thaksin to prolong his stay outside of prison for health care beyond the original 120 days, from December 22 to February 18.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) is also looking into Thaksin’s extended stay at the Police General Hospital.
After 15 years of self-imposed captivity, Thaksin finally arrived in the nation on August 22.
He was taken to the Supreme Court that evening, where he received an eight-year prison sentence in three different scenarios. By royal mercy, that statement was afterwards reduced to a year.
Due to his neck pain, hypertension, and lower blood oxygen levels, doctors decided to transfer him to the doctor on his first evening at Bangkok Remand Prison.
Thaksin was permitted to spend 120 time receiving medical care outside of jail, but the DoC granted him permission to stay there after December 22.
On February 18, Thaksin was granted a parole and released from the hospital.
The former telecom tycoon’s one-year jail term was officially overturned on August 31 of this year.