18 October 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Thaksin Shinawatra, a former premier who is currently incarcerated, is receiving treatment at the Police General Hospital( PGH ), according to Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, the head of the national police.
The call was made following the distribution of a picture of Thaksin on gurney while wearing the patient’s gown and face mask, preparing for magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) and computed tomography ( CT ) scans.
The image, which went viral last week on social media, drew criticism for Thaksin’s possible specific treatment and privileges.
It has been claimed that the image was intentionally circulated. It might be meant to give the impression that Thaksin is still severely ill and requires additional medical care outside of jail, according to critics.
The picture was taken as Thaksin’s 90-day out-of-prison hospitalization date is set to expire on Friday.
Pol Gen Torsak acknowledged yesterday that, given his recent appointment as federal police commander, he knew little about the hospitalization problem.
The Corrections Department, which is in charge of the original top, has asked the authorities to help with his security.
Thaksin, 74, was given a complete sentence of eight times in three cases when he returned to Thailand on August 22 after 15 years of self-imposed captivity.
Nevertheless, he was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the PGH that evening due to health reasons, and has stayed there ever since.
His Majesty the King reduced his eight-year prison sentence to one month after he requested a royal pardon.
Democratic activist Srisuwan Janya petitioned the Justice Ministry yesterday morning, asking for an investigation into Thaksin’s PGH treatment to determine whether it is in violation of the Corrections Act.
Critics contend that despite the fact that the photo was taken from a distance, Thaksin’s face was left exposed to show that it was him and to give the impression that his former premier still needs medical attention.
The Corrections Act, which states that only inmates who have a critical or emotional illness are permitted to get special treatment outside of captivity, may be broken by Thaksin’s hospitalization at the PGH, according to Mr. Srisuwan, despite his numerous illnesses, including heart disease, heart condition, high blood pressure, and lumbar disc herniation.
He likewise questioned why Thaksin was never given a little prisoner cut, which is mandated by rules set forth by the Corrections Department.