Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost 

 

The Corrections Department has defended its long-running Family Photo Project after an image of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra embracing his children during a prison visit drew public scrutiny. The photograph, taken at Klongprem Central Prison on Thursday, circulated widely and prompted questions from a former senator about security practices. The department stated on 28 November that the picture was produced through an authorised programme intended to support inmate rehabilitation.

 

The Family Photo Project allows prisoners and relatives to take commemorative photographs during close-contact visits, with the prison providing the prints. Officials stressed that no mobile phones or personal recording devices were permitted and that all images were taken using prison equipment. The department said the initiative has operated for several years and was recently offered at Klongprem from 24 November, attracting significant participation.

 

Inmates may change into clothing provided by the facility for the photographs, though Thaksin opted to remain in his standard light-blue inmate shirt and dark-blue trousers. The department said the scheme helps maintain emotional support systems, aids reintegration and reduces the likelihood of repeat offences. It reiterated that participation is voluntary and intended to strengthen family ties.

 

Former senator Somchai Swangkarn raised concerns on Facebook about how the family photo could have been released, given strict rules banning phones and similar devices during visits. His comments followed public attention after Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter and a former prime minister, was seen holding an A4-sized colour print of the image on Thursday. She later posted the picture on Instagram, thanking prison officials for facilitating the session.

 

The photograph shows Thaksin smiling with a closely cropped haircut, standing with Paetongtarn, who has her arm around him, along with her sister Pintongta Shinawatra-Kunakornwong, her brother Panthongtae Shinawatra and his wife Natthiya Puangkham and Paetongtarn’s husband Pidok Sooksawas. The visit formed part of a New Year programme allowing close-contact meetings without glass partitions. It was the 20th family visit since Thaksin was jailed on 9 September.

 

Bangkok Post reported that Thaksin, 76, was sentenced by the Supreme Court on 9 September to one year in prison after his six-month stay in a VIP room at Police General Hospital was deemed improper. He returned to Thailand in August 2023 and initially received an eight-year sentence for conflict of interest and abuse of authority committed during his 2001–06 premiership, later reduced to one year by royal pardon. The department has given no indication that the Family Photo Project will be altered in response to the latest criticism.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The Corrections Department defended its Family Photo Project after a Thaksin family photo raised questions about security protocols.

• Officials said the photograph was taken under authorised procedures using prison equipment, with no personal devices allowed.

• The visit formed part of a New Year programme and was Thaksin’s 20th family meeting since his imprisonment on 9 September.

 

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-11-29

 

 

That's good, so ALL prisoners can request this ?

 The department said the initiative has operated for several years and was recently offered at Klongprem from 24 November,

 

 

And let me guess the 24th of November was the day Tonys photo was taken, and Tony was the first prisoner there with this privilege..

 

 

 

 

It's questionable how many 'close contact' visits most prisoners are permitted, let alone family photos. Which, incidentally, should be every prisoner's right.

 

I know in Bang Kwang, my visits were held with about 20 visitors shouting outside a set of bars separated by one metre with prisoners behind another set of bars shouting back. It was a cacophanous zoon.

On 11/29/2025 at 5:03 PM, Georgealbert said:

The department stated on 28 November that the picture was produced through an authorised programme intended to support inmate rehabilitation.

As long as he's on the inside who cares...

So are we going to see pictures similar to this on Facebook, etc for 'ordinary' prisoners?

 

I may have a long wait?

 

Happy Family amazing how this family have even the prison governor around their little fingers. The governor needs to post pictures of happy families like the Shins who have had their pictures taken whilst a member is serving time  I amazed me how the wealthy can even enjoy their lifestyle whilst locked up 

A Happy Family Photo policy ? Not as far as anyone knows.This was yet one more of many privileges currently being extended to Thaksin by the prison authorities.

 

Are inmates allowed to get and use hair dye while in prison?

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

A Happy Family Photo policy ? Not as far as anyone knows.This was yet one more of many privileges currently being extended to Thaksin by the prison authorities.

 

Corruption abound in Thailand,  Thais will do anything for the baht  given the opportunity  

The background of the pic appears to show flower gardens and a lake.  

 

Is this setting within the prison grounds ?

 

It looks much more like a family day out to me . . .

2 hours ago, DFPhuket said:

Are inmates allowed to get and use hair dye while in prison?

Kiwi shoe polish

Isnt there more important issues to engage in at the moment ??? 🙂

Visiting a family member in Thai jail was like in the USA, visitors divided by one inch reinforced Panzer glass and communication through intercom system in each partition. Understandably for security reasons. Thai prisons aren't boy scout camps. 

 

Thaksin is an old man and probably can't pose any threat to anyone while incarcerated. At least he is serving a symbolic amount.of time.

 

4 hours ago, hidbehindthesofa said:

The background of the pic appears to show flower gardens and a lake.  

 

Is this setting within the prison grounds ?

 

It looks much more like a family day out to me . . .

There's no lake inside the prison (I checked the satellite view on Google Maps out of curiosity) but there is a wide moat around three sides of the prison, so maybe what looks like a lake in the background is part of the moat. But there do not appear to be any flower gardens adjacent to the moat on the satellite image, so like you, I'm skeptical that this was taken inside the prison grounds.

They're laying in wait for the family photo that has Yingluck in it.  Then they'll spring their cunning trap.

3 hours ago, flexomike said:

Kiwi shoe polish

melt  it down and drink it,yummy !

5 hours ago, hidbehindthesofa said:

The background of the pic appears to show flower gardens and a lake.  

 

Is this setting within the prison grounds ?

 

It looks much more like a family day out to me . . .

 

1 hour ago, banyanman said:

There's no lake inside the prison (I checked the satellite view on Google Maps out of curiosity) but there is a wide moat around three sides of the prison, so maybe what looks like a lake in the background is part of the moat. But there do not appear to be any flower gardens adjacent to the moat on the satellite image, so like you, I'm skeptical that this was taken inside the prison grounds.

 

I just studied the google map in detail on max magnification.  The 3-sided moat is intended to be a barrier, is not maintained to be pretty, and appears to have green overgrowth over most of it.  There are a number of smaller bodies of water on the campus but they appear to be small, surrounded by fauna, and just wouldn't match the photo.  Also, I can't find any flower gardens or red-tiled walk paths.  Granted, there's lots that might not show up on a low-res google image.  But I have to agree with the previous posters that this photo probably has them red-handed off on a field trip.  It's good to be Tony.

 

EDIT: They probably just stepped out of his fave restaurant to take the photo.  One has to wonder just how often this has been happening.  And does he cry when its time to take him back?

A dynasty finally realising the halcyon days are over.

On 11/29/2025 at 5:03 PM, Georgealbert said:

The Family Photo Project allows prisoners and relatives to take commemorative photographs

Who wouldn't cherish such a souvenir, a full colour momento of ones fathers  time in prison, How touching to see such empathy from the Department of Corrections  In a previous thread it was mentioned that some prisoners are allowed to sell "homemade" items as well , how delightful

I might be wrong  bet the photo  offer is not so popular with those awaiting execution on death row

1 hour ago, banyanman said:

There's no lake inside the prison (I checked the satellite view on Google Maps out of curiosity) but there is a wide moat around three sides of the prison, so maybe what looks like a lake in the background is part of the moat. But there do not appear to be any flower gardens adjacent to the moat on the satellite image, so like you, I'm skeptical that this was taken inside the prison grounds.

Probably just one of a selection of  stock backgrounds  with the  photo superimposed on it Hardly rocket science

11 minutes ago, IsaanGuy said:

A dynasty finally realising the halcyon days are over.

They have more than enough money to last them and subsequent generations  forever,  couldn't even spend the interest

The halcyon days will never end for them

3 hours ago, robert2 said:

At least he is serving a symbolic amount.of time.

He will have counted all his accrued wealth and divided it by "time served" and will no doubt be delighted at the resulting hourly rate

On 11/30/2025 at 1:38 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

let alone family photos. Which, incidentally, should be every prisoner's right.

you have the right to remain silent......... and you have the right to a family photo, if you have no family , one will be selected for you

It should not be "every prisoners right"  at all  that's plain ridiculous

20 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

They have more than enough money to last them and subsequent generations  forever,  couldn't even spend the interest

The halcyon days will never end for them

It wasn’t a reference to his obvious wealth, but more of a reference to the many pies he had his fingers in. His influence, and his political party, are all failing as the Thai people turn their backs on him and recognise his BS for what it is. 

On 12/1/2025 at 11:12 AM, Bday Prang said:

He will have counted all his accrued wealth and divided it by "time served" and will no doubt be delighted at the resulting hourly rate

With the connections, wealth and influence, a year in jail is better than nothing to the public. Also, being a convicted felon is a disgraceful legacy no matter how you turn it. 

 

7 hours ago, robert2 said:

being a convicted felon is a disgraceful legacy no matter how you turn it. 

it used to be but i don't think it carries the same stigma anymore, A bit of time served adds to ones street cred  these days.   His PR people will turn this into a positive, and he will no doubt continually remind everybody that he has "paid his dues to society in full" 

23 hours ago, robert2 said:

With the connections, wealth and influence, a year in jail is better than nothing to the public. Also, being a convicted felon is a disgraceful legacy no matter how you turn it. 

 

 

I'll do the year for him, if he hands me a B1 billion beforehand, I'll enjoy every minute of my time there.....no family photo needed, I'll just suffer alone.

On 12/1/2025 at 9:14 AM, DFPhuket said:

Are inmates allowed to get and use hair dye while in prison?

Depends on one's connections, or how friendly with the prison barber.

On 12/1/2025 at 9:14 AM, DFPhuket said:

Are inmates allowed to get and use hair dye while in prison?

 

You mean that isn't his natural color?! I thought all these old Thai's were just aging slowly 🤪