Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, was released on parole following six months in hospital. He returned to his home, Ban Chan Song La, in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok yesterday, February 18. His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality.

 

Thaksin arrived in Thailand on August 22 last year after 15 years of exile. He was immediately escorted to the Supreme Court where they sentenced the former Thai PM to eight years in prison according to three charges. However, he received a royal pardon, reducing his imprisonment to one year.

 

The 74 year old former PM was then taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison that day. He was in jail for a few hours before being transferred to the Police General Hospital at midnight due to a congenital disease. Thaksin remained in hospital for almost six months before his release on parole.

 

The Department of Corrections stated that Thaksin met specific criteria, including being an inmate over 70 years old, having chronic illnesses, and completing one-third of his sentence. His six-month stay at the hospital was considered one-third of his one-year imprisonment.

Thaksin’s family collected him from the hospital, where he was seen sporting dark blue shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, complete with neck collars and a cast on his right arm. Upon reaching Ban Chan Song La, his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a former PM candidate from the Pheu Thai Party, posted a picture of her father by the pool.

 

“After 180 days without fresh air and sunlight and 17 years away from this home, my father sat outside the house like this. He sat there for quite a long time. #FinallyHome”

 

Online criticism

 

While several Thai politicians and political activists congratulated Thaksin’s release, many netizens sparked a debate on his release making the hashtag #Thaksin at the top of Thai Twitter.

 

Some netizens questioned the severity of Thaksin’s health condition, arguing that he appeared healthy enough to remain in prison like other inmates. Observers noted that Thaksin looked more than well, even having the time to cover his grey hair compared to other old prisoners who usually leave jail with grey hair.

 

Others demanded the Corrections Department to ensure justice and equality for other inmates who did not meet the same specific criteria as Thaksin.

 

The Move Forward Party (MFP) also expressed its stance on Thaksin’s release in an official announcement.

 

“If the government wants to bring justice to Thaksin, the action must not stress the double standard system of the justice processes in Thailand and must not encourage anyone to have legal privileges over others. The government has to equally provide
It remains uncertain whether the former PM will re-enter Thai politics or how he might engage in political roles in the future.

 

According to ThaiRath, Thaksin, as a parolee, must adhere to specific rules from the Corrections Department. For example, staying at the reported address, obtaining permission before leaving, refraining from visiting other inmates, avoiding carrying weapons, maintaining honest employment, and reporting to the prison monthly.

 

Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, shared a photo of her father on the Instagram account @ingshin21
Thaksin released on parole

 

A Thaksin supporter outside Ban Chan Song La | Photo by Wason Wanichakorn via AP

 

by Petch Petpailin 

Top Photo by Wason Wanichakorn via AP

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-19

 

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Humiliating for Thailand on the world stage ....!!!

10 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Humiliating for Thailand on the world stage ....!!!

 

Not as humiliating as yet another coup with the miscreants granting themselves immunity from any future prosecution.

He also forgot to put his leg in a cast.

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

Humiliating for Thailand on the world stage ....!!!

They don't care.The people who run this country really DON'T care.

Watch George Carlin "who controls America" and substitute Thailand or any other country you like actually. 

Edited February 19, 20242 yr by findlay13

1 hour ago, Denim said:

 

Not as humiliating as yet another coup with the miscreants granting themselves immunity from any future prosecution.

 

 

I think I would prefer that scenario

1 hour ago, Denim said:

 

Not as humiliating as yet another coup with the miscreants granting themselves immunity from any future prosecution.

Read that Thailand has been downgraded on some democracy index.

Not surprising when the main opposition is kicked out for flimsy reasons.

Chief prosecutor says Thaksin appeared seriously ill, in a wheelchair, could not walk, had no voice and wore a neck brace during their meeting.

 

BANGKOK POST sms

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin, as a parolee, must adhere to specific rules from the Corrections Department. For example, staying at the reported address, obtaining permission before leaving, refraining from visiting other inmates, avoiding carrying weapons, maintaining honest employment, and reporting to the prison monthly.

And if he don't, what're you going to do, Toothless Department?

A photo op with medical props. If he's looking for sympathy forget it. 

I thought he had a heart condition? How does a cast and neck brace help that? My medical knowledge is not great. 

Thaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole

Well, just throw all those disgruntled commoners in prison for pointing out that there seems to be one set of rules for the billionaire-class and another for commoners and little-people, and its too obvious to ignore regardless of how it is spun.

4 minutes ago, TTSIssues said:

I thought he had a heart condition? How does a cast and neck brace help that?

Billionaires aren't quite made like average common-folk? 

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

Humiliating for Thailand on the world stage ....!!!

Indeed. The only things missing are a leg in plaster and a black eye patch to finish off the "Poor Me" criminal look.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, was released on parole following six months in hospital. He returned to his home, Ban Chan Song La, in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok yesterday, February 18. His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality.

Captain Obvious is wondering.  If Thaksin had to be hospitalized for six months because he is in such serious condition, then why was he released to his home instead of being released to the care of another hospital specializing in heart care?

😁 "Because he'll receive extra-special care with the finest of doctors right at home.  Don't ya know?"

Of course.  Yep.  Uh-huh.  🙄 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality.

Debate all you want, this was a done deal long before he even set foot back in Thailand... talking about it, challenging it will make no difference, it's over and done with.

Best change your focus to Thaksins sister now, and see what's going to happen there.

I'm sure they will want her back in the fold.

 

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

Chief prosecutor says Thaksin appeared seriously ill, in a wheelchair, could not walk, had no voice and wore a neck brace during their meeting.

 

BANGKOK POST sms

But still managed to get his hair colored in the Prison Hospital salon

The guys got such a big head now he needs a neck brace to hold it up lol!  Shame on you Thailand.

1 minute ago, HK MacPhooey said:

But still managed to get his hair colored in the Prison Hospital salon

Right!  I dont think anybody expected hom to be roller blading out of prison lol!  When are the Emmy awards next?

He must first receive the golden sneakers from Trump for go to the Emmy's

54 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I think I would prefer that scenario

 

Really? Where "democratic" elections are pointless, and the Military led Government can make up their own rules and regulations as they see fit?

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

Chief prosecutor says Thaksin appeared seriously ill, in a wheelchair, could not walk, had no voice and wore a neck brace during their meeting.

 

BANGKOK POST sms

 

The main word to note here is "appeared"!  Maybe it's a performance/play where the script has already been written months ago, and already vetted by the Censors Board?

I had a shoulder operation. I do wear the exact same brace for like six months cause I was only in the hospital for four days TIT.

27 minutes ago, HK MacPhooey said:

But still managed to get his hair colored in the Prison Hospital salon

He wasn't in the prison hospital, he was in the PGH and long term inpatients obviously have access to barber facilities.  Anyway, how do you know that he doesn't wear a wig that would account for his fulsome locks?

Edited February 19, 20242 yr by Liverpool Lou

Thaksin immediately headed to the AGs office to ask for "fairness" on the latest sec112 charges against him... The AG of course "suspended" the charges pending further investigation 😂 The rule of law in Thailand... What a joke. Based solely on who you are and who you know (hierarchy and patronage). But the constitutional Court finds Pita guilty for merely campaigning on suggesting changes to the laws (which is an MPs job), and was branded for wanted to "overthrow the monarchy". The constitutional Court should now convict the AG for giving Thaksin a free pass on his sec112 charges. 

2 hours ago, BE88 said:

He also forgot to put his leg in a cast.

Stop  casting aspertions...

Exactly as per the pre arranged itinerary..

1 hour ago, TTSIssues said:

I thought he had a heart condition? How does a cast and neck brace help that? My medical knowledge is not great. 

Neck brace a new treatment for heart and arm brace for blood pressure. That's what the witch doctor told me.😂

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Chief prosecutor says Thaksin appeared seriously ill, in a wheelchair, could not walk, had no voice and wore a neck brace during their meeting.

 

BANGKOK POST sms

Works every time,.....!?!?,....and in most country's !

2 hours ago, sambum said:

 

Really? Where "democratic" elections are pointless, and the Military led Government can make up their own rules and regulations as they see fit?

seems thaksin and his merry men can make / have / will up their own rules as well - so please explain the difference.