PUBLISHED: 14 Jan 2025 at 05: 13
If the Royal Thai Police (RTP ) doesn’t turn in medical records relating to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s detention at the Police General Hospital by Wednesday’s deadline, protesters will gather at Government House to demand an explanation.
During a rally at the RTP office on Monday, about 70 protesters wearing yellow shirts issued the notice. Pupil and civil society organizations organized it in concert. After writing a letter to Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, the head of the national officers, they dispersed.
The RTP may not comply with the deadline or refuse to provide Thaksin’s health records to the MCT as requested by Wednesday. They argued that the records may shed light on whether Thaksin had experienced critical ailments that caused him to be taken to a hospital for treatment. Apparently, Thaksin spent months spent in a high-end clinic on the hospital’s 14th floor.
The former top spent about six months in the hospital until he was released on February 18 after serving eight years in prison for three cases before royal mercy cut the term to one year. He was then released from the hospital on February 18. On August 31 he was released from prison after serving a year in jail.
The protesters announced on Monday that they would go to the MCT on Wednesday to check if the medical documents are received. If no, the activists said they will move to Government House in order to demand an explanation and response from Ms. Paetongtarn, who is the Police Commission’s president.
Jaipetch Klajon, a opposition leader, said the demonstrators would maintain a long protest outside Government House if needed.
Pichit Chaimongkol, another opposition leader, clarified that the opposition organizations were not demanding the RTP make Thaksin’s health records people, as they are specific information.
They want them given to those in command of examining the reportedly dubious treatment and management of the former president’s condition, such as the MCT and the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC).
The prime minister, in her capacity as brain of the Police Commission, may give an explanation in the event the RTP fails to do as asked by the MCT, said Mr Pichit.
Police official, Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, declined to comment on the protesters ‘ threat, saying the RTP was in no position to offer an argument about the subject.
The Police General Hospital’s CEO has recently made no comments on the situation.
The Department of Corrections does certainly give a version of Thaksin’s health records to the NACC upon demand, according to Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong.