Air con, a fridge and sofa: Thaksin Shinawatra’s ‘VVIP’ prison life in Thailand

[webfact]

 

Activists claim the former PM has received special treatment at a special hospital ward, which stands in stark contrast to the overcrowded prison system

 

When Thailand’s former leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned from exile in August, he became arguably the most high-profile person held in the country’s notorious prisons.

 

But the billionaire businessman, who was jailed over corruption-related charges, was inside for little more than 12 hours before he was moved to the premium ward of a hospital in Bangkok.

 

His perceived soft handling has prompted claims of special treatment and ignited a series of wider questions about standards within the prison system.

 

According to reports in Thai media, Thaksin was moved to the wing of a hospital with private rooms fitted with air conditioning and a TV, fridge, sofa and dining table, while under 24-hour care by nurses. Officials have denied he’s been the recipient of any special treatment, saying the former prime minister needed urgent care as he was experiencing insomnia, chest tightness and high blood pressure and the oxygen levels in his fingertips were low.

 

However, activists and lawyers have pointed to conditions inside Thailand’s jails, where cells are overcrowded and lacking in hygiene and medical care is limited. They say the same standard of care should be afforded to all prisoners.

 

In a recent article for the Bangkok Post, Andrea Giorgetta of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) writes: “One positive aspect of the Thaksin saga is that it has put a spotlight on the often-overlooked issue of prison conditions in Thailand.”

 

By Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok

TOP: Thaksin Shinawatra waves on arrival at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok.

Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

 

Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/air-con-a-fridge-and-sofa-thaksin-shinawatras-vvip-prison-life-in-thailand

 

-- The Guardian 2023-09-11

 

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[Dmaxdan]

Did anyone really expect anything other than this?

[Tropicalevo]

This all seems pretty normal to me here in Thailand's two-tier system.

[ChipButty]

he obviously doesn't see himself as a criminal, 

[petermik]

Just now, ChipButty said:

he obviously doesn't see himself as a criminal, 

He has money...enough said ????

[Bert got kinky]

Thaksin was moved to the wing of a hospital with private rooms fitted with air conditioning and a TV, fridge, sofa and dining table, while under 24-hour care by nurses.

Officials have denied he’s been the recipient of any special treatment

 

Wow, I wish that I was in prison.

 

[bamnutsak]

Is he still in the Police Hospital at Ratchadamri/Rama I?

 

 

I assumed he'd move to his own hospital Praram 9?

 

 

[2baht]

Just now, Bert got kinky said:

Wow, I wish that I was in prison.

Kinky!

[ChipButty]

This whole saga just stinks, Daily food sent in, Laundry service can he shower everyday? normal prisoners once a week, the authorities have got no shame 

[ezzra]

Is it worth it Thailand, for the whole world to see the farce, debacle and shame you have brought on yourselves for the sake of ONE man? how can you ever look in the face of the world's community knowing you have sold your values and pride for the sake of one corrupt person?

[Tropicalevo]

2 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Is he still in the Police Hospital at Ratchadamri/Rama I?

He is definitely doing better than a friend of mine did when he was taken there after being shot five times in an ambush.

Said friend was put on a trolley, covered with a sheet and left in a corridor until he died.

The total bill for emergency treatment for five gunshot wounds was a bandage and some tape. Less than 1,000 baht.

[petermik]

2 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Is it worth it Thailand, for the whole world to see the farce, debacle and shame you have brought on yourselves for the sake of ONE man? how can you ever look in the face of the world's community knowing you have sold your values and pride for the sake of one corrupt person?

When there is no conscience there is no shame......

[BritManToo]

16 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

This whole saga just stinks, Daily food sent in, Laundry service can he shower everyday? normal prisoners once a week, the authorities have got no shame 

I know a wealthy Thai lady in a BK prison, same for her, nice apartment style cell, tv, aircon, food ordered in.

She pays around 100kbht/month to be there so not even that expensive.

[dingdongrb]

Is that all? Doesn't he deserve more?

[BE88]

Due to this and the pure jealousy of my enemies, they cut my hair like all the prisoners and I sleep on the floor next to my new friends, twenty of them in a cell with only one toilet.

I've only been in hospital for a few days because I can't sleep but I will return to my companions soon.

[retarius]

Ooooh! I love seeing farangs get all steamed up about Thaksin. Think of all the energy you use up to hate. It could power a nuclear sub, for goodness' sake.

[sammieuk1]

The Thai system of if you do the crime your out in no time 8hrs in this case ????

[pomchop]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

Is it worth it Thailand, for the whole world to see the farce, debacle and shame you have brought on yourselves for the sake of ONE man? how can you ever look in the face of the world's community knowing you have sold your values and pride for the sake of one corrupt person?

its not one man...it's one rich man....

 

see little red bull that still walks free after nearly a decade ...if a regular Thai person had been all hopped up on coke, killed and dragged a cop while speeding big time then fled the country how long do you think it would have taken for that person to be apprehended and returned....

 

..shame on the entire country from PM to the judges to the corruption committees to the police and all of the entire bunch of people who have been bribed to allow red bull to roam freely...and shame on the media for not constantly banging the drum of why is red bull allowed freedom?

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Is he still in the Police Hospital at Ratchadamri/Rama I?

 

 

I assumed he'd move to his own hospital Praram 9?

 

 

How is that "his own" hospital?

[mikeymike100]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

This whole saga just stinks, Daily food sent in, Laundry service can he shower everyday? normal prisoners once a week, the authorities have got no shame 

That's if you are lucky!

From the Guardian:

"Access to showering facilities is often extremely limited; in one facility, inmates are allowed to stand under a shower only for the time it takes a prison guard to count up to 15. In the centre of a cell there are typically one to three squat toilets, with a tub of water and a bowl used for flushing and cleaning – but often such water has run out, the FIDH report found. Cells can be shared by as many as 50 or 60 people, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)."

 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

This whole saga just stinks, Daily food sent in, Laundry service can he shower everyday? normal prisoners once a week, the authorities have got no shame 

All inmates in Klong Prem can have food sent in each day and they all have to shower twice a day.

[Liverpool Lou]

7 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Access to showering facilities is often extremely limited; in one facility, inmates are allowed to stand under a shower only for the time it takes a prison guard to count up to 15.

That is a fallacy, just more Guardian garbage.  In Klong Prem showers are compulsory twice a day and they are not limited to 15 seconds.   Prisoners have more than enough time to shower, shave, rinse out clothing etc.

[owl sees all]

Don't understand why he don't say. 'Enough of this. Let me serve my time in a proper prison;. 8 to a cell.'

[tomazbodner]

What difference does it make? He'll be out in a few days anyway...

[fredwiggy]

16 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

That is a fallacy, just more Guardian garbage.  In Klong Prem showers are compulsory twice a day and they are not limited to 15 seconds.   Prisoners have more than enough time to shower, shave, rinse out clothing etc.

How long was your sentence?

[2baht]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

can he shower everyday?

He certainly does'nt have to worry about dropping the soap! ????

[Liverpool Lou]

10 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

How long was your sentence?

Long enough to know what I'm talking about.  There are people reading this forum to whom I do not wish to give any identifying clues!

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

Long enough to know what I'm talking about.

And I was just joking. Well, first hand experience beats heresay.

[Liverpool Lou]

25 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Don't understand why he don't say. 'Enough of this. Let me serve my time in a proper prison;. 8 to a cell.'

28 to a cell nearer the mark.

[owl sees all]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

28 to a cell nearer the mark.

It would do wonders for his credibility.