Thaksin’s Medical Leave Under Scrutiny: Protests Demand Reimprisonment

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: The Nation

 

Opponents of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are rallying for his return to prison. The protest unfolded in Bangkok, with critics questioning the validity of Thaksin’s medical parole and urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to act against her father.

 

Thaksin, who returned to Thailand on 22 August 2023 after years in self-imposed exile, was initially taken to Bangkok Remand Prison to start an eight-year sentence for corruption.

 

However, he was swiftly transferred to the police hospital the same night, allegedly due to severe health conditions. This move raised eyebrows and suspicions of preferential treatment.

 

During his six-month hospital stay in a VIP room, Thaksin’s sentence was notably reduced to one year following a royal clemency. He was eventually released on parole, but his release is now at the centre of a political storm, with accusations of orchestrated leniency.

 

At the forefront of the protests is Kaewsan Atibodhi, an academic and co-leader, who has publicly called on Paetongtarn to prioritize justice over familial ties.

 

He criticised her for not compelling the Police General Hospital to disclose Thaksin’s medical records to investigative bodies like the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Medical Council.

Warong Dechgitvigrom, another outspoken critic, demanded that full medical records be shared, not merely fragments. He warned of escalating protests should Paetongtarn fail to act, suggesting that the legitimacy of her position as prime minister could be at stake.

 

Adding to the pressure is Dr Tul Sitthisomwong from the multi-coloured group, who contended that Thaksin’s avoidance of prison time undermines the royal clemency process and disrespects the Supreme Court’s initial sentencing.

 

There are allegations that former Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin pre-emptively adjusted ministerial directives, paving the way for Thaksin's controversial "hospital stay."

 

The protest culminated in an hour-and-a-half demonstration, after which Deputy Prime Minister Secretary-General Somkid Chuakong received the protesters' open letter at Government House.

 

This letter demanded Paetongtarn leverage her authority to ensure transparency in the investigation of Thaksin's alleged bogus illness and urged the full disclosure of medical records by both the Police General Hospital and the Corrections Department.

 

The matter not only questions the former prime minister's sentence but also challenges the current government’s integrity. With the possibility of larger protests on the horizon, all eyes remain on how Paetongtarn Shinawatra will navigate this political conundrum, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-01-22

 

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Opponents of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are rallying for his return to prison. The protest unfolded in Bangkok, with critics questioning the validity of Thaksin’s medical parole and urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to act against her father.

 

Good news.

[ikke1959]

The PM should indeed act against her father, but she will never do...Thaksin should be jailed again as he too much involved in politics now and seems to have taken over the role of PM. All Thaksin what the news is, while he came under false pretentious into the country, not in jail, but with fake health problems.. But as usual he is the one with the most money, influence  and he is unstoppable..If nothing happens I am afraid that the country will be thrown back again by a coup

[redwood1]

It will be good for Tony to share a jail cell with 50 other inmates...I am sure this will happen any day now....lol

[edwinchester]

One of wifeys family members is in this group protesting against Taksin. Almost everyone of them are anti democratic pro coup supporters who believe the only way to save the country is through the elite wielding absolute power. Most of them are very anti foreigners and would like to rid the country of them.

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, edwinchester said:

One of wifeys family members is in this group protesting against Taksin. Almost everyone of them are anti democratic pro coup supporters who believe the only way to save the country is through the elite wielding absolute power. Most of them are very anti foreigners and would like to rid the country of them.

That is one of Thailand's problems or strengths, depending on how you look at it and who you are.

Keep the poor - poor and the rich - richer.

Do not change anything and keep the Thai education system as it is. Just brainwashing.

The rich send their kids abroad or to private schools to encourage thinking.

 

Paid protestors with free T shirts are not really going to make a difference.

Yet when the young protest against the Junta and want an elected, better government, they are put in gaol by a 'political' law.

[MikeandDow]

2 hours ago, edwinchester said:

One of wifeys family members is in this group protesting against Taksin. Almost everyone of them are anti democratic pro coup supporters who believe the only way to save the country is through the elite wielding absolute power. Most of them are very anti foreigners and would like to rid the country of them.

There are lots of Thais who would like to get rid of foreigners!! "Idi Amin" tried this in 1972 Proved Dsastrous,  That is the problem with Thai's no forward thinking !

[lordgrinz]

4 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

There are lots of Thais who would like to get rid of foreigners!! "Idi Amin" tried this in 1972 Proved Dsastrous,  That is the problem with Thai's no forward thinking !

 

Forward thinking for a Thai is probably at most 5 minutes.

[Chosenfew]

This will never happen…

[MikeandDow]

3 minutes ago, Chosenfew said:

This will never happen…

You are correct !! but there is no harm in wishful thinking

[connda]

5 hours ago, edwinchester said:

One of wifeys family members is in this group protesting against Taksin. Almost everyone of them are anti democratic pro coup supporters who believe the only way to save the country is through the elite wielding absolute power. Most of them are very anti foreigners and would like to rid the country of them.

You mean the old Yellow Shirt vanguard?

[lordgrinz]

5 hours ago, edwinchester said:

One of wifeys family members is in this group protesting against Taksin. Almost everyone of them are anti democratic pro coup supporters who believe the only way to save the country is through the elite wielding absolute power. Most of them are very anti foreigners and would like to rid the country of them.

 

Yikes! It's these kind of people who scare the Hell out of me, mindless sheep, and extremely dangerous.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Opponents of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are rallying for his return to prison. The protest unfolded in Bangkok, with critics questioning the validity of Thaksin’s medical parole and urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to act against her father.

Well that ain't gonna happen for sure.

[OneMoreFarang]

Where can I buy that t-shirt? 

[harryviking]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The PM should indeed act against her father, but she will never do...Thaksin should be jailed again as he too much involved in politics now and seems to have taken over the role of PM. All Thaksin what the news is, while he came under false pretentious into the country, not in jail, but with fake health problems.. But as usual he is the one with the most money, influence  and he is unstoppable..If nothing happens I am afraid that the country will be thrown back again by a coup

Then they should at least arrest him BEFORE he could run again! Or maybe best he leaves and be banned to return. 

[MikeandDow]

This is all wishful thinking, but until the big guys, says something nothing will happen

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, edwinchester said:

One of wifeys family members is in this group protesting against Taksin. Almost everyone of them are anti democratic pro coup supporters who believe the only way to save the country is through the elite wielding absolute power. Most of them are very anti foreigners and would like to rid the country of them.

 Really, if you try really hard perhaps you could add some further negative bull<deleted>. What a load of crap you write. 

[Jonathan Swift]

I can’t understand why so many people busy themselves with the internal affairs of a country that’s not theirs and whose policies wouldn’t come within a thousand miles of their lives, let alone actually affect anyone directly. On top of that everyone thinks they know all about what’s going on behind the veil as if they were there and bore witness. Have you guys got too much time on your hands? How about doing some volunteer work? 

[MikeandDow]

14 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

I can’t understand why so many people busy themselves with the internal affairs of a country that’s not theirs and whose policies wouldn’t come within a thousand miles of their lives, let alone actually affect anyone directly. On top of that everyone thinks they know all about what’s going on behind the veil as if they were there and bore witness. Have you guys got too much time on your hands? How about doing some volunteer work? 

volunteer work Need WP !!

[billd766]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: The Nation

 

Opponents of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are rallying for his return to prison. The protest unfolded in Bangkok, with critics questioning the validity of Thaksin’s medical parole and urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to act against her father.

 

Thaksin, who returned to Thailand on 22 August 2023 after years in self-imposed exile, was initially taken to Bangkok Remand Prison to start an eight-year sentence for corruption.

 

However, he was swiftly transferred to the police hospital the same night, allegedly due to severe health conditions. This move raised eyebrows and suspicions of preferential treatment.

 

During his six-month hospital stay in a VIP room, Thaksin’s sentence was notably reduced to one year following a royal clemency. He was eventually released on parole, but his release is now at the centre of a political storm, with accusations of orchestrated leniency.

 

At the forefront of the protests is Kaewsan Atibodhi, an academic and co-leader, who has publicly called on Paetongtarn to prioritize justice over familial ties.

 

He criticised her for not compelling the Police General Hospital to disclose Thaksin’s medical records to investigative bodies like the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Medical Council.

Warong Dechgitvigrom, another outspoken critic, demanded that full medical records be shared, not merely fragments. He warned of escalating protests should Paetongtarn fail to act, suggesting that the legitimacy of her position as prime minister could be at stake.

 

Adding to the pressure is Dr Tul Sitthisomwong from the multi-coloured group, who contended that Thaksin’s avoidance of prison time undermines the royal clemency process and disrespects the Supreme Court’s initial sentencing.

 

There are allegations that former Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin pre-emptively adjusted ministerial directives, paving the way for Thaksin's controversial "hospital stay."

 

The protest culminated in an hour-and-a-half demonstration, after which Deputy Prime Minister Secretary-General Somkid Chuakong received the protesters' open letter at Government House.

 

This letter demanded Paetongtarn leverage her authority to ensure transparency in the investigation of Thaksin's alleged bogus illness and urged the full disclosure of medical records by both the Police General Hospital and the Corrections Department.

 

The matter not only questions the former prime minister's sentence but also challenges the current government’s integrity. With the possibility of larger protests on the horizon, all eyes remain on how Paetongtarn Shinawatra will navigate this political conundrum, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-01-22

 

 

It is odd how the protestors are complaining about Thaksin, yet you never hear them complain about corruption in the police, military, the civil service or politicians.

 

That corruption costs the country far more than Thaksin ever allegedly did or could.

 

You NEVER hear them complain about an illegal military coup government, or the tearing up and rewriting the Thai constitution, which now it seems is sacrosanct and not a word can be changed.

[billd766]

37 minutes ago, harryviking said:

Then they should at least arrest him BEFORE he could run again! Or maybe best he leaves and be banned to return. 

Before that, all the surviving generals from all the illegal military coup should be arrested for treason against the legally elected government, stripped of all their decorations and possessions, then jailed for life for treason with no parole or time off for good behaviour.

[billd766]

39 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 Really, if you try really hard perhaps you could add some further negative bull<deleted>. What a load of crap you write. 

So prove what he wrote is wrong.

[edwinchester]

1 hour ago, connda said:

You mean the old Yellow Shirt vanguard?

Yellow shirts on 'no more Mr Nice Guy' setting.

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Forward thinking for a Thai is probably at most 5 minutes.

To the next meal. 

[digger70]

7 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Good news.

Yea Pigs might Fly. she won't send her old man to jail, I can't see that happening.

Would be great if she did.

[MikeandDow]

21 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Before that, all the surviving generals from all the illegal military coup should be arrested for treason against the legally elected government, stripped of all their decorations and possessions, then jailed for life for treason with no parole or time off for good behaviour.

And what democratic process is that ??

 

[phetphet]

I was going to explain why Thaksin deserves his medical record privacy, but the way immigration just dishes out our personal data for other to see or collect on the back of reused bits of paper makes me think again.

[MikeandDow]

9 minutes ago, phetphet said:

I was going to explain why Thaksin deserves his medical record privacy, but the way immigration just dishes out our personal data for other to see or collect on the back of reused bits of paper makes me think again.

Immigration, have been doing that for the last 25years i know of, nothing new!!

[Captor]

58 minutes ago, billd766 said:

It is odd how the protestors are complaining about Thaksin, yet you never hear them complain about corruption in the police, military, the civil service or politicians.

 

That corruption costs the country far more than Thaksin ever allegedly did or could.

 

You NEVER hear them complain about an illegal military coup government, or the tearing up and rewriting the Thai constitution, which now it seems is sacrosanct and not a word can be changed.

Or protesting against the deadly air pollution....

[Gobbler]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

During his six-month hospital stay in a VIP room, Thaksin’s sentence was notably reduced to one year following a royal clemency. He was eventually released on parole, but his release is now at the centre of a political storm, with accusations of orchestrated leniency.

 

Royal clemency.  Why is anyone complaining?  It's done.  The King has spoken.