Thai anti-graft body probes Thaksin’s previous stay in hospital instead of jail
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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was allegedly allowed to stay in a hospital for 180 days despite not being seriously ill.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BANGKOK – Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Dec 16 resolved to investigate 12 government officials for allegedly allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stay in a hospital instead of jail
The anti-graft commission was acting on an accusation that officials at the Department of Corrections and Police General Hospital sent Thaksin to the hospital in Bangkok so that he did not have to serve his term in prison, NACC secretary-general Sarote Phuengramphan said.
According to the accusation, Thaksin was allowed to stay at Police General Hospital for 180 days despite not being seriously ill.
Mr Sarote said the NACC found enough facts, witnesses and evidence to conduct the investigation and thus resolved to proceed with the case and investigate the 12 officials. All the NACC commissioners will be responsible for the investigation, he added.
Thaksin returned to the country on Aug 22, 2023, after 15 years in self-imposed exile following the military-led coup that ousted his caretaker government in 2006.
He was immediately taken to the Supreme Court, which sentenced him to eight years in prison in three corruption cases. The sentence was later commuted to one year by royal clemency.
Thaksin was hospitalised on his first night in prison due to supposed serious illnesses. After spending six months in hospital, he was paroled and discharged in February.
The former telecommunications tycoon formally completed his one-year prison term on Aug 31.
The 12 government officials to be investigated are:
Director-general Sahakarn Phetnarin of the Department of Corrections
Former deputy director-general Sutthi Suthiwong of the Department of Corrections
Deputy director-general Chan Wachiradet of the Department of Corrections
Commander Nasti Thongplad of the Bangkok Special Prison
Police Lieutenant-General Sophonrat Singhajaru, former chief physician of the Police Hospital
Police Lt-Gen Taweesilp Vetchwitan, chief physician of the Police Hospital
Police Colonel Chana Chongchokdee, medical officer (level 5) at the Police Hospital, attending physician and author of the medical report
Police Major-General Samart Muangsiri, physician at the Police Hospital and author of the medical report
Dr Watchai Mingbunjerdsuk, director of the Corrections Hospital
Dr Ruamthip Supanan, physician who examined the body during the intake of new prisoners
Duty officer Sanya Wonghinkong of the Bangkok Remand Prison
Duty nurse Thanpisit Kabuan of the Bangkok Remand Prison
THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
