Politics Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's Hospital Stay Sparks Political Tension in Thailand

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Mounting pressure is on the Thai government over the prolonged stay of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the Police General Hospital (PGH), with increasing calls for transparency from state officials and political figures. This intensifying controversy revolves around perceived preferential treatment and ethical concerns regarding his extended hospitalisation.

 

Thaksin's transfer to PGH took place immediately following his return to Thailand in August 2023, when he was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. This sentence, initially comprising three years from two separate cases plus an additional five years from a third, was subsequently reduced to one year through royal clemency. However, despite this reduction, there has been widespread scepticism about whether he has served any meaningful jail time due to his swift hospitalisation cited as necessary for undisclosed serious health issues.

 

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) has launched an ethics investigation into the conduct of the medical professionals involved in Thaksin's transfer from prison and his extended hospital stay. This inquiry aims to determine if ethical standards have been breached in a way favouring Thaksin, a pivotal political figure in Thailand. Parallelly, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is reviewing the case, with a crucial hearing scheduled for 13 June.

 

The situation has sparked public outcry led by the People's Network for Thailand Reform, who, alongside allied groups, are planning a demonstration outside Government House. They are demanding that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter and leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, address these concerns and take accountability for what is perceived as preferential treatment.

 

Tension is further heightened by plans to petition Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of Asean, urging him to reconsider Thaksin's appointment as an advisor to the organisation. Critics argue that this role could unfairly shield him from legal consequences due to his influence and connections within the political arena.

 

In tandem with these efforts, the groups intend to submit a request to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, a significant figure in the Pheu Thai Party, urging him to refrain from interfering in any disciplinary actions the MCT may decide against the doctors involved. The public health minister, who chairs the council's special committee, is seen as pivotal to ensuring impartial disciplinary measures.

 

Adding to the escalating scrutiny, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. As the official overseeing the Department of Corrections, Tawee's decisions in allowing Thaksin's detention in hospital rather than prison are under question, potentially constituting an abuse of power or breach of ethical standards.

 

Moreover, Wirangrong Dabbaransi, leader of the Network of Universities for Reform, has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to re-evaluate earlier findings that the Department of Corrections and PGH fulfilled their duties appropriately. This call for a review is based on new insights from the MCT's findings, challenging the decision-making processes that permitted Thaksin’s extended hospitalisation.

 

These developments underscore deep-rooted concerns about fairness in Thailand's justice system, highlighting possible disparities that favour influential figures. The controversy fuels an ongoing narrative of justice inequities, intensifying demands for a robust and unbiased review of Thaksin's case, amid public vigilance over the proceedings and their broader implications.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-13

 

 

[JoePai]

for transparency from state officials and political figures

 

 

555 never in a million years  🤣

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

for transparency from state officials and political figures

 

 

555 never in a million years  🤣

Transparency and Thailand are at opposite ends of the spectrum. 

[Pouatchee]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin's appointment as an advisor to the organisation. Critics argue that this role could unfairly shield him from legal consequences due to his influence and connections within the political arena.

 

the weasel has a way out already

[Bert got kinky]

 

Wow, Thailand treat their convicted criminals quite well.

That's quite a nice paddy-wagon and I love his prison jumpsuit and cuffs.

 

 

[ikke1959]

There is only 1 solutions for this.... fire everybody who is involved included his daughter and new elections

[smedly]

what a ######g joke

[Jing Joe]

58 minutes ago, smedly said:

what a ######g      joke

 

Yes Smedly well spoken, because from all the official words and talks etc going on, it is a joke and will be the result. Watch this space hey.   I summed it up in a longer word:- "Corruption."  and nothing we contribute here will change anything. 😕

[crazykopite]

Everyone knows it was a total stitch up more so now that two doctors have been dismissed there is nothing wrong with the guy after the GE they couldn’t accept by he MF party had won so Toni was the next best option meaning a deal had to be finalized before he returned from exile 

[klauskunkel]

"As soon as I'm at home this stupid thing comes off!"

"I know, Daddy. Only five more minutes..."

[kingstonkid]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

There is only 1 solutions for this.... fire everybody who is involved included his daughter and new elections

 

 

I think if it were not for a fear of the PPP that this would have happened.  The issue is that Thaksin got inon a sweet heart deal that allowed him back to be here and QUIETLY do things however as with past lives he has over layed his cards.

 

The reasoning that he feels so safe has nothing to do withPTP and everything to do with the fact that the ELITES fear the PPP.

 

Their Dem party is dead

The military parties are a farce and ot being taken seriously

BJT has not revealed that it can exist outside of areas that Chidchob has financial influence.

 

Also, the Senate is under fire, so it is not guaranteed that it will be around to stop any PPP bills.

 

Military take overs are out becuse the people do not trust the military and would protest and out the leaders.

 

Therefore they have to look at how long they can stand the taste of Thaksin in their food before it makes their political meals unpalateble.

 

The time is getting near the country is in a mess and tehre is ot Prime Minister that can act as a leader.

 

If BJT can build a coalition to at least make a minority government supported on ethical grounds by the PPP, then I think Thaksin goes, as well as his daughter and possibly the party.

 

But it is a lot to ask

 

[Ironmike]

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

[kingstonkid]

quietly do things

2 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

 

Actually, I don't think the rest of the world outside of ASEAN really cares, they consider Thailand 3rd world and have enough to worry about in their own countries

 

The olny thing they get excited about is when their aides says "sire madame the Prime minister of Thailand is on the phone."

 

Great amount of laughing

[MalcolmB]

7 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

I don’t think the “eyes of the world” really care.

You are exaggerating.

Have you got a single link of any of these eyes laughing?

More people laughing at you.

[ignore it]

Thaksin to doctor,

 

"Awe come on. they'll never know"

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This intensifying controversy

It's not a controversy but suppressing or hiding the truth

[harryviking]

16 hours ago, Artisi said:

Transparencyand Thailand are at opposite ends of the spectrum. 

Do they actually have a word in Thai for "Transparency"?? 🙄

[jwl53]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

There is only 1 solutions for this.... fire everybody who is involved included his daughter and new elections

Fire everyone? Who will be left to run the country? 

[Artisi]

17 minutes ago, harryviking said:

Do they actually have a word in Thai for "Transparency"?? 🙄

Not sure, but brown envolope seems like a good substitute. 

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

There is only 1 solutions for this.... fire everybody who is involved included his daughter and new elections

I might have another solution, but it involves future bribe takers to smarten up:

Basically, everyone needs to demand "fxxx you"-money from Thaksin (or his family) for the bribes to come (for he/they will not stop), simply to guarantee a worry-free life outside Thailand after the scandals are exposed.

This will bring about two possibilities, either he runs out of money, or he has to stop bribing.

 

[madone]

1 hour ago, Ironmike said:

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

 

no they are not.

Nobody outside the region is watching this 

[Jim Blue]

Wonder how many careers this sad business will end up ruining ? 

Or doesn't it work  like that ?

[BerndD]

As the saying goes, translated from German: 'A crow does not peck out the other's eye'.

[Cuchulainn]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

 

 

The olny thing they get excited about is when their aides says "sire madame the Prime minister of Thailand is on the phone."

 

 

 

Only to ask the aide, "Which one?"

[kuzmabruk]

17 hours ago, Artisi said:

Transparency and Thailand

TIT = Transparency is Thailand or Thailand is Transparency

[Burma Bill]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

 

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This intensifying controversy

 

I wonder how much longer before another military coup?

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

with increasing calls for transparency from state officials and political figures.

Best of luck with that....

[kiwikeith]

4 hours ago, Ironmike said:

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

 

4 hours ago, Ironmike said:

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

The eyes of the world are on Putin and Trump at present no one cares about Tony's neck brace or his doctors.

[Purdey]

5 hours ago, Ironmike said:

The eyes of the world are laughing at Thailand because of this corrupt POS and his joke of a sentence from 8 years to 1 year and then 10 minutes in a cushy hospital what a laugh.. 

I doubt it. The world thinks this is Taiwan.

[cynic1]

4 hours ago, madone said:

 

no they are not.

Nobody outside the region is watching this 

 

4 hours ago, madone said:

 

no they are not.

Nobody outside the region is watching this 

I'm, " outside the region " as you state. I'm in Australia and visited Thailand many times and keep up with Thai news as i am married to a Thai. You would be very surprised how many are "watching this". Maybe because you never travelled outside Asia, My Aussie, American, NZ, etc etc are following this. In short they  think Thailand is corrupt from Top to Bottom. I wish I could just wipe my rear to make it all go away. Maybe you should!