Thai Medical Council Probes Ex-PM Thaksin's Extended Hospital Stay

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Picture courtesy: Naew Na

 

The Medical Council of Thailand is scrutinising Police General Hospital over the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's prolonged stay post-conviction, sparking questions about potential preferential treatment. A special sub-committee, led by former council president Dr Amorn Leelarasamee, is delving into the conduct of medical professionals involved in his care, inspecting whether ethical guidelines were compromised.

 

The council recently dispatched a letter to the hospital’s director-general, demanding comprehensive documentation of Thaksin’s illness and the reasoning behind his extended hospital stay.

 

Specifically, they have requested all medical records, the identities of the doctors involved, and their assessments during his six-month hospitalisation] - the period marked from his admission until February 2023. The deadline for furnishing this information is set for January 15th.

Further amplifying the spotlight, political activists congregated at the National Anti-Corruption Commission this week, urging a timely investigation into Thaksin’s controversial hospitalisation, which needs completion within three months. Their scepticism grows from Thaksin's visibly active lifestyle post-release, which starkly contrasts the earlier narrative of his deteriorating health.

 

Thaksin bore the expenses for his prolonged hospital stay, which amounted to a nightly 8,500 Thai Baht (£188) for a VIP suite on the 14th floor, as confirmed during a parliamentary session last month.

 

Thaksin, who ventured from a career in the police force to becoming a business mogul and later a political leader, returned to Thailand on August 22nd the previous year after spending 15 years in self-induced exile.

 

On his return, Thaksin was promptly detained by authorities and sentenced to eight years in prison due to charges of power abuse and conflict of interest during his tenure before 2006 - later reduced to a single year following royal clemency.

 

His immediate transfer to the hospital was due to health concerns including chest pains and abnormal blood readings noted during his first night in custody.

 

According to legal allowances, Thaksin’s treatment outside prison was initially sanctioned for 120 days; however, the Department of Corrections extended this to 180 days, citing life-threatening jail conditions.

 

Thaksin, aged 75, was ultimately paroled on February 18th, described as "elderly and seriously ill" at the time, despite recent active public appearances without apparent ailments.

 

This unfolding examination throws the duration of his unsupervised activities and implied ailments into contrast as Thaksin recently completed his prison term last August, while vigorously campaigning for the Pheu Thai Party, which is now spearheaded by his daughter, currently serving as Prime Minister, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-19

 

 

[Artisi]

Smoke and mirrors