Analysis Thaksin Faces Jail as Court Probes Legality of Hospital Stay

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's former Prime Minister, might face imprisonment if authorities can't justify his health-based transfer to a hospital.

 

The Supreme Court recently dismissed a complaint over his alleged jail avoidance but left the door open for further investigation. With a royal pardon reducing his original eight-year sentence to one year, Thaksin avoided prison by spending six months at the Police General Hospital, a move now under scrutiny.

 

Legal experts warn that Thaksin could be sent back to jail if the Department of Corrections cannot prove his health necessitated the transfer to hospital care.

 

The Supreme Court has ordered an inquiry into whether officials properly implemented his prison sentence. It questions the legality of his transfer from prison just hours after his return to Thailand on August 22, 2023, a day marked by a royal pardon that slashed his sentence.

 

The Department of Corrections defends its actions under a 2017 Corrections Act amendment, allowing seriously ill inmates to be detained outside of prison. However, detractors argue that the Criminal Procedure Code requires court notification if severe health issues interrupt remand terms.

 

Legal scholars suggest that if the court finds the transfer unjustified, Thaksin could be jailed for his remaining term or even face his initial eight-year sentence if his pardon petition is contested.

 

The high-stakes situation leaves Thaksin's political future and legal freedom uncertain, as a hearing set for June 13 could dramatically alter his course.

 

The Supreme Court, freshly equipped with a new panel of judges, faces a pivotal decision that could redefine how Thailand handles such high-profile cases.

 

Observers keenly await the court's ruling, anticipating its implications on both Thaksin’s fate and the broader justice system’s integrity.

 

Whether the transfer was a breach of procedure or within legal boundaries remains to be seen, promising a climactic moment in Thai political history.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-05-06

 

 

[ozz1]

Here we go again it's a pathetic show nothing will happen waste if time he is above the law it's all smoke and mirrors to look revalent

[ikke1959]

It will never happen.. his influence by corruption and support from others will prevent it.. We have seen already last week, and besides this is the only man who is accused on violating section section 112 and got bail and is free to go even outside Thailand, while others bail are consequently denied...This is just a show to prevent how incompetent the justice system and the Government is

[blaze master]

Did someone leave a windows open. I sure have a bad kink in my neck this morning. 

[Andytheburiramman]

More chance of the Red Bull heir becoming the head of the Royal Thai Police.

[quake]

Oh behave, his way past the finish line.

 

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

might face imprisonment if authorities can't justify his health-based transfer to a hospital.

might  should face imprisonment if authorities can't justify his health-based transfer to a hospital.

Result will go something like, there's not enough evidence to prove "lack of justification"  and his medical info can't be released. 

[JoePai]

The Supreme Court, freshly equipped with a new panel of judges

 

Toxin thinking - oh dear, more brown envelopes to fill