Thaksin Returns to Thailand

[Gaybutton]

I imagine he'll still have a pretty good network within the police.

Some Thais already are claiming that Thaksin is getting special privileges. I have no way of knowing if that is true, but it stands to reason that, and everything else, was negotiated before he agreed to return. I would not imagine the authorities would make a point of publicizing any of that, but I can't imagine he would trade his life of luxury at age 74 for a 10 year term in a jail cell along with being treated like any other Klong Prem prisoner.
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Activists seek answers about ‘favours’ for Thaksin

Former premier under quarantine at Police General Hospital until Sunday

August 24, 2023

Activists on Thursday pressed authorities to look into whether Thaksin Shinawatra received a special favour when he was admitted to Police General Hospital just hours after he started his eight-year prison term.

Well-known petitioner Srisuwan Janya brought his complaint to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). He wants the NACC to look into the decision by the Department of Corrections to transfer the former prime minister to Police General Hospital “only for hypertension”.

He filed the complaint a day after authorities said the 74-year-old prisoner’s multiple health conditions justified the referral to a hospital that is better equipped than the medical facilities at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

Earlier, when Thaksin was living abroad, he appeared to be in good health and fit enough to travel frequently between countries, Mr Srisuwan said.

The activist also took issue with reports that Thaksin would not have to wear his hair short like other male inmates.

At the Ministry of Justice, an activist group led by Pichai Chaimongkol and Nasser Yeema told officials that said the public was questioning the way the Department of Corrections was treating Thaksin.

They also asked if Thaksin was really severely ill, given the number of online pictures showing him looking quite healthy in recent times.

Sahakan Phetnarin, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said that when prisoners had life-threatening health problems, they must be referred to a hospital in accordance with corrections regulations.

Nastee Thongplad, the governor of Bangkok Remand Prison, said Thaksin remained at Police General Hospital and during his first five days there, from Wednesday to Sunday, he would be quarantined and no visitors would be allowed.

Afterwards, he said, authorities would allow Thaksin to see 10 people who had already expressed their intention to visit him. He declined to name the expected visitors.

Thaksin returned to the country on Tuesday after 15 years of self-imposed exile. On the same day, the Supreme Court ordered him imprisoned for a total of eight years based on convictions in three cases.

Thaksin was brought to Bangkok Remand Prison early Tuesday afternoon, but shortly after midnight he was sent to Police General Hospital.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... or-thaksin

[KeithAmbrose]

I understand that after an appropriate period, he will get a pardon based on ill health!

[Gaybutton]

Protesters saying Thaksin is illegally receiving special privileged treatment. Thai authorities are saying not true.

Much of what is going on certainly has me puzzled. I don't understand what Thaksin's motivation to return actually is. Some say it is so that he can run his Pheu Thai party, but he has no need to actually be in Thailand to do it, and certainly not from a jail cell. He could do that from anywhere in the world where he has access to internet and a telephone.

And if he really is being granted special privileges, then someone in Thailand, very high up and would have the power and authority to arrange it - and be able to keep his identity and the fact that privileges are being granted secret, with no leaks, would have to be behind it. Who? And Why?

It does seem odd that over the years I don't recall seeing any reports that he has health issues and he seemed just fine when he returned, but a few hours later now it's a medical emergency.

Read the following two articles and judge for yourself.
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Justice Ministry accused of granting undue privileges to Thaksin

August 24, 2023

The Ministry of Justice was today (Aug.24) taken to task for allegedly granting undue privileges for de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra as a convicted inmate who was physically put behind bars for barely a half day.

A group of street activists led by the so-called Students and People’s Network for Thailand’s Reform peacefully demonstrated outside the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice in protest of the agency whom they accused of practising double standards by providing undue privileges for the deposed prime minister who returned on Tuesday from 17 years in self-exile abroad after he had been deposed in the 2006 coup and sentenced in absentia by court to eight years in jail for a few separate cases of misconduct perpetrated during his premiership nearly two decades ago.

The alleged double standards practised by the Corrections Department under care of the Ministry of Justice to satisfy the desires of the de facto Pheu Thai boss regardless of the law under which he should have been treated like other inmates were unduly compromising the country’s judicial integrity, the anti-Thaksin activists said.

While residing abroad shortly before flying a private jet to Bangkok, Thaksin had had pictures of himself alongside visiting family members posted on social media to supposedly show he was strong and healthy but was suddenly reported of illnesses and transferred in the middle of Tuesday night from Bangkok Remand Prison to Police Hospital after he had stayed at a nursing unit in the premises of the prison for barely a half day. The activists charged that the de facto Pheu Thai boss had feigned his way out of the prison.

Thaksin could probably be preoccupied with the unfinished allocation of cabinet portfolios following Tuesday’s successful naming of Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin, personally associated with his sister/deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

In a security-tightened room at the hospital, the de facto Pheu Thai boss may have access to a cellphone with which he could literally play his part in the purely political business from his hospital bed. Under no circumstances is a cellphone allowed for use by inmates in prison.

https://thainewsroom.com/2023/08/24/jus ... o-thaksin/
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'Thaksin won’t be allowed to transfer to private hospital'

by THE NATION

August 24, 2023

A senior Justice Ministry official and the Corrections Department chief insisted on Thursday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was still receiving treatment at the Police General Hospital and would not be easily allowed to be moved to a more comfortable private hospital.

Sahakarn Phetnarin, deputy permanent secretary for Justice Ministry, and Nassathee Thongplad, commander of the Bangkok Remand Prison, held two separate press conferences to dismiss speculations that Thaksin had been moved from the police hospital to Phraram 9 Hospital, in which Thaksin’s family has a major shareholding.

Thaksin was rushed from the prison hospital of the Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital at 1am on Wednesday after doctors inside the prison hospital found he had chest pain and constantly high blood pressure.

His opponents cried foul over the report of his transfer outside the prison to the hospital, speculating that he might receive VIP treatment on the 14th floor of a building with a spectacular view of a pristine green golf course nearby. Some even suspected he might have been moved to the more comfortable Phraram 9 Hospital, as the authorities have never shown his photo inside the Police Hospital.

“He’s definitely inside the Police Hospital but his photos cannot be shared because dissemination of inmates’ photos is prohibited, whose rights are protected by the law,” Sahakarn said.

He added that patients also have their privacy rights protected by the law.

The deputy permanent secretary said there was no reason to transfer Thaksin from the police hospital to a private hospital because doctors at the Police General Hospital can handle his medical conditions.

Sahakarn added that four officials of the Corrections Department were deployed in front of Thaksin’s room and police would provide security to ensure that no untoward incident would happen as Thaksin might have antagonists.

“The officials and police will ensure no untoward incident would happen. If anything happens, they would be held responsible,” Sahakarn added.

He reiterated that Thaksin had four co-morbidities – heart lacking enough blood flow, adhesion in lungs, hypertension, and herniated discs – and once he was put behind bars, tension and worries caused his conditions to worsen.

The deputy permanent secretary said relatives could not visit Thaksin during the first five days of his stay in the hospital.

After the first five days, relatives could seek permission from the Bangkok Remand Prison to visit him during the normal visiting hours of the Police General Hospital, which are from 11am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm.

He added that Thaksin would not be allowed to use telephones during his stay in the hospital.

Apart from close relatives, only important persons, such as diplomats and executives of international organisations could seek to visit him, Sahakarn added.

He said doctors would be the ones to make a decision on when Thaksin should be sent back behind bars.

Sahakarn said Thaksin had not requested any special favours and he knew about the air-conditioners on the floor being out of order from the media.

He said he had met Thaksin only once when he was first sent to the prison when Thaksin had not yet changed into the inmate uniform.

“It’s essential for the officials to save the life of inmates. If doctors diagnose that they cannot save a life, they would have to transfer him to another hospital. This is a normal thing to try to save his life. But as of now, the Justice Ministry has affirmed he would not be transferred anywhere,” Sahakarn said.

“He will be transferred only if doctors come up with a clear medical report that they cannot treat him.”

He expressed belief that doctors of the Police General Hospital could handle Thaksin’s conditions so he would definitely not be transferred.

He said several ill inmates had earlier been transferred from hospitals inside prisons to the police hospital, but they did not make headlines because the inmates were not big names.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Bangkok Remand Prison said his prison had been regularly updated on Thaksin’s condition at the police hospital.

Nassathee said Thaksin could not meet visitors during the first five days of the Covid-19 quarantine period.

He said the prison allowed only 10 relatives to visit him each day and 10 names had already been submitted and granted permission to visit Thaksin on August 28.

Meanwhile, Pol Lt-General Soponrat Singhajaru, director of the Police Hospital, said the team of six specialist doctors in charge of Thaksin had not sought permission from him to transfer Thaksin to another hospital at all.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... s/40030475

[Gaybutton]

It is difficult to figure out what, if anything, is really going on. There is no actual evidence to suggest the public is not being told the truth about Thaksin's health situation.

Still, he seemed perfectly fine when he arrived in Thailand. If he was truly ill enough that only hours later he had to be hospitalized, I can't imagine that he was unaware of his health problems. If that is the case, then the next logical question is why would he return to Thailand to end up in second rate hospitals rather than going to the world's finest hospitals, which he easily could afford?

Two ideas I've seen circulating on the rumor mill:
1- he has secretly been transferred to a private hospital and in a VIP room with luxury accommodations. I find that one very difficult to believe. At least a portion of the hospital staff would have to be aware of it. Something like that would be almost impossible to keep secret.
2- He is not in a hospital at all, but has secretly been moved to private luxury accommodations. I don't believe that one either. It makes no sense. Why would he return to Thailand to hide out from public view without the ability to go anywhere he pleases?

There is no evidence to support those, or any other rumors.

I really don't understand why he returned to Thailand at all, but obviously for whatever reasons he made that choice.

[Gaybutton]

Looks like a new term, at least one I've never heard before, has been coined: "Politically Sick"

If Thaksin's illnesses are a hoax, why would he do that? I don't see what he would have to gain by returning to Thailand and then, with apparent cooperation from anyone and everyone involved with him, pretending he is so ill that he needs to be hospitalized - and wouldn't that have had to have been planned in advance of his return? And why would everyone involved with him be willing to keep it a secret and remain silent about it? Wouldn't they have to trust that no one, even anonymously, would leak anything to the media, creating a major scandal?

Aren't the courts in a position to demand proof?

Since it happened only hours after he returned, if it is phony, wouldn't that be just a little bit too obvious? If you can make sense out of that, please let me know. To me, it makes no sense at all.

If Thaksin's illnesses really do turn out to be phony, that would definitely be a priority addition to my "I Don't Get It" list.
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Former red-shirt leader wants proof of Thaksin’s illness

Jatuporn Prompan calls on prison and hospital authorities to release video to allay public scepticism

August 27, 2023

Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan has joined those demanding the Department of Corrections and Police General Hospital release video to clear up the public’s lingering doubts over the illness of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

All movements of inmates are monitored by closed-circuit television (CCTV), Mr Jatuporn said. For those who fall ill, all procedures related to their medical treatment and transfers for further treatment are thoroughly recorded.

If Thaksin was suffering from a “political sickness”, it could not be kept secret and the truth would be revealed, he said during a live broadcast of the Thailand First programme on Peace TV, a satellite-based channel on Friday.

“People are raising doubts about whether Thaksin is politically sick or really sick. When he returned to Thailand at Don Mueang airport, key figures from the Pheu Thai Party clearly said during press interviews that Thaksin was in very good health,” said the 57-year-old former chairman of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), or the red shirts.

“But Thai people just learned that he fell sick when he was taken to a prison. The Department of Corrections announced that he suffered four critical diseases — heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure and a herniated disc. The prison hospital there is very good, able to quickly detect the four diseases with the use of a stethoscope.”

Corrections and hospital authorities have said the 74-year-old prisoner’s multiple health conditions justified the referral to a hospital that is better equipped than the medical facilities at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

Thaksin, 74, was sent to prison following a court appearance on Tuesday, hours after returning home from 15 years of self-exile. He was transferred from the prison to the Police General Hospital at 12.20am on Wednesday after suffering from chest pain, hypertension and low blood oxygen, according to the Department of Corrections.

Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru, the hospital’s chief physician, said on Friday that an echocardiogram and lung tests showed the elderly inmate’s heart and lung conditions were still a concern, while his blood pressure was stable.

But Mr Jatuporn said he wanted to see CCTV images showing Thaksin’s illness as a proof.

Lights on 24/7

Recalling his own experience behind bars, he said lights at the prison were turned on around the clock and there was backup power in case of a power outage. More importantly, there were security cameras recording everything. As the number of prison staff was limited, CCTV played a vital role in tracking inmates.

Inmates who are sent to the Police General Hospital must be critically ill, he said. Normally, prison doctors would send sick inmates to the Department of Corrections Hospital first, and doctors there would decide whether to transfer the patient to Police General Hospital or not. These procedures are supposed to apply equally to inmates of all ages, said Mr Jatuporn.

“In Thaksin’s case, doctors might see that his condition is critically ill. But CCTV records everything. There must be footage showing the examination of his symptoms. When being taken to Police General Hospital, CCTV would show the time he left the prison and the time he arrived at the hospital.

If Thaksin was indeed critically ill, he must be admitted to an intensive care unit before being transferred to a patient room on the hospital’s 14th floor, said Mr Jatuporn.

“CCTV footage and images of the care of former prime minister Thaksin, who is critically ill (as claimed), must be shown. This is not confidential because it causes no damage to anyone,” he said.

He said everything involving Thaksin, as an important person serving jail terms, must be recorded. His movements could not be made to disappear from CCTV records.

“If he is really critically ill, nobody opposes any special treatment for him,” he added. “If not, it will be a new problem. There will be intense public scrutiny. Those involved will face mounting pressure from society and they will be end up in jail.”

Mr Jatuporn has recently shocked political observers by launching stinging criticisms of his former party, Pheu Thai, and Thaksin, after years of being one of the former premier’s most ardent loyalists.

He has since accused Thaksin of repeatedly betraying the red shirts, who were his loyal supporters and helped vote his Pheu Thai Party into power.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ns-illness

[Gaybutton]

Thaksin's transfer raises eyebrows

Special Report: Activists urge equal treatment for inmates

by Penchan Charoensuthipan and Apinya Wipatayotin

August 28, 2023

The Department of Corrections (DoC) has come under fire for treating former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra better than other prisoners in the system, with critics questioning whether the ex-premier is really ill.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand last Tuesday following years of self-imposed exile abroad. He was sent to prison after the Supreme Court handed him an eight-year prison sentence over past convictions relating to his term as prime minister.

However, the DoC said he was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to Police General Hospital at 12.20am the next day, after complaining of chest pain, high blood pressure and low blood oxygen saturation.

Since then, Thaksin has been staying at an intermediate care unit (IMCU) on the 14th floor of the hospital's Maha Bhumibol Rachanusorn 88 Phansa building.

A doctor at the Medical Correctional Institution who reviewed Thaksin's medical records defended the transfer, saying the ex-premier needed to be placed under special observation given his past history of illnesses -- which include ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and spondylosis.

As the Medical Correctional Institution lacked the necessary medical equipment to observe Thaksin's health indicators, the doctor decided to transfer Thaksin to Police General Hospital for his safety.

The transfer to the Police General Hospital was done in accordance with the rules, according to the DoC.

Special privileges in jail?

The "VIP" treatment given to Thaksin has sparked widespread criticism about the fairness of the corrections system, with many saying Thai prisons reflect the nation's deep social inequalities and in the eyes of the elite, are not meant for the wealthy.

Angkhana Neelapaijit, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the DoC must not give Thaksin any special treatment, as other prisoners -- especially those who come from a lower socio-economic background -- may feel discriminated against.

"In a prison, all prisoners must receive equal treatment,'' she said.

But the treatment Thaksin has received has led many to believe that he remains a VIP, even in prison.

"Other inmates question whether Thaksin will be required to follow prison rules, such as having a short haircut, eating meals with other prisoners, and participating in inmates' activities," Ms Angkhana said.

Only inmates who require urgent medical care should be allowed to stay at the prison's hospital, she said.

Ms Angkhana said there are many elderly inmates who share Thaksin's health conditions but are not given the same privileges he received.

"Former elderly inmates such as [former yellow-shirt co-leaders] Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang never received such privileges. Neither has Boonsong Teriyapirom [a former commerce minister who is now in jail].

"The incoming government, the Justice Ministry and the DoC must not act in a way that leads to suspicions of special privileges in prison,'' Ms Angkhana said.

Prison reform

Rights activist Pornpen Kongkachornkiat said inmates who require medical care at hospital remain under strict surveillance.

"Some were chained up to their stretchers during transfer from prison to hospital guarded by prison officials. Thaksin may not have been treated like this, but it is obvious he is receiving preferential treatment,'' Ms Pornpen said.

"Other inmates, particularly elderly ones, should also be allowed access to proper medical care they deserve,'' she said.

Ms Pornpen also called on the incoming government to initiate prison reform and improve jail conditions to ensure better living conditions for inmates.

"Prisoners should not be dehumanised. They have the right to eat good food, and stay in proper conditions. There is the general perception that prisons are scary and overcrowded. Urgent reforms are needed to improve conditions in prisons, as well as their image,'' Ms Pornpen said.

Former red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the public is keeping a close watch on the DoC's treatment of Thaksin.

Dr Weng, who served around one year and a half in the prison stemming from political conflicts, said the department has guidelines for treating sick prisoners.

If Thaksin is indeed ill, he has the right to medical treatment in the hospital, Dr Weng said, adding the department should also give equal treatment to other prisoners.

Dr Weng pointed to the case of Ampon Tangnoppakul, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail on lese majeste charges, but died of cancer at the age of 71 after serving just two years at Bangkok Remand Prison in 2012.

His relatives claimed the medical services provided to older inmates were subpar.

'Political illness?'

Political activist Srisuwan Janya said people are wondering whether Thaksin is really sick or is "politically sick''.

He said Thaksin received a red-carpet treatment from the moment he landed at Don Mueang airport until he was sent to jail and transferred to the Police General Hospital.

"Following his court appearance, he was escorted in an air-conditioned vehicle to Bangkok Remand Prison, escorted by an entourage of security officers, like a foreign leader on a state visit,'' Mr Srisuwan said.

Mr Srisuwan also pointed out that Thaksin looked fine in Dubai, as evidenced by his daughter Paetongtarn's social media posts, but immediately fell ill upon his return.

Daycha Siripatra, founder of Khaokwan Foundation, which promotes the use of medical cannabis, said on Facebook that it is impossible for other inmates to receive the same treatment as Thaksin does.

"It is not a surprise that many are speaking about against the double standard,'' Mr Daycha said.

Tul Sittisomwong, a political activist, said the Police General Hospital should nurse Thaksin back to normal health as quickly possible and then send him back to the prison hospital.

He said the hospital should also ask for Thaksin and his family's permission to reveal his medical condition and treatment plan to end any suspicion of preferential treatment.

Meanwhile, Nastee Thongplad, chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, said Thaksin's family members will be permitted to visit him at hospital today as his quarantine period has ended. The visit will last about 30-40 minutes.

He said the department has limited the number of visitors to 10 per day.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... s-eyebrows

[Gaybutton]

Pardon request for Thaksin reaches government

Wissanu says consideration won't take long, but caretaker government has just days left

by Mongkol Bangprapa

August 31, 2023

Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, in his capacity as the acting justice minister, says he has received an application for a royal pardon for Thaksin Shinawatra.

Speaking to reporters at Government House on Thursday, Mr Wissanu declined to say whether the former prime minister or his family had written the application. He said only that the application was for a pardon for an individual, as opposed to being part of a number of royal pardons and sentence reductions normally granted to mark certain spacial days.

Mr Wissanu declined to reveal if the application covered all three cases in which Thaksin was ordered to serve eight years in jail in total.

“We have received (the request), the rest will be according to the procedure,” he told reporters.

Under the law, prisoners can submit a pardon application that is passed from the justice minister through the prime minister to the Privy Council before going to His Majesty the King.

Officials have said the process takes one to two months, if all the paperwork is in order.

The current caretaker government has only a few days left before a new administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Pheu Thai Party is sworn in. But it would not take long to process the application, said Mr Wissanu.

Asked to elaborate, he said: “It is purely based on royal grace. The procedure from the government is not long, but it depends on the length of (the king’s) consideration.”

Mr Wissanu also confirmed that Thaksin was still at Police General Hospital. He was admitted there just hours after being sent to prison on Aug 22 to begin serving his sentence.

He defended the decisions made by corrections officials about the medical care for the 74-year-old billionaire inmate.

“Thaksin was ill. His blood pressure had almost reached 200. He had clot-busting medicine and allergies. He was also depressed and disheartened. So, his condition had worsened,” Mr Wissanu said on Thursday.

Thaksin returned to the country on Aug 22 after 15 years of self-imposed exile. Just hours after he touched down, the Supreme Court passed sentence on the three finalised legal cases related to corruption and abuse of power while in office prior to 2006.

On the first night of his stay at the Bangkok Remand Prison, doctors determined that Thaksin was too ill to stay at the Department of Corrections hospital, where facilities are limited.

The management of Police General Hospital have since denied that authorities had done any favours for Thaksin.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... government

[Gaybutton]

To prevent any possibility of Lese Majeste violations, I am locking the topic.

[Gaybutton]

NOTE: This topic is locked and will remain locked. However I will post information and articles when I deem them appropriate.
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Thaksin's parole must wait until February: official

September 18, 2023

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can legally file a parole application at the earliest in February next year, according to the Department of Corrections.

Sitthi Sutivong, deputy director-general of the department, said on Monday that an ill convict who is 70 years old or over can apply for parole only after he serves at least one-third of his jail term or at least six months in jail.

As regulations requires the longer period to prevail, Thaksin, 74, must serve at least six months in prison before filing a parole request because that period is the longest regarding his one-year imprisonment, Mr Sitthi said. One-third of a one-year jail term lasts four months.

The six-month waiting period will end in February next year. When criteria are met, the administration of his prison can send a parole request to the Department of Corrections, he said.

The parole committee of the department meets on a monthly basis.

Mr Sitthi also said that Thaksin remained at Police General Hospital to receive continuous treatment and the hospital would report its evaluation of the former prime minister's health to the Department of Corrections when his stay at the hospital reaches 30 days (this Thursday).

The department would then decide if he should be returned to Bangkok Remand Prison, Mr Sitthi said.

If Thaksin's condition does not improve or his doctor maintains that he needs continuous treatment at the hospital, the corrections director-general can permit his continued treatment outside the prison, Mr Sitthi said.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand on the morning of Aug 22 after 15 years in self-exile. He had been convicted and sentenced and charged with fresh offences during his absence.

The same day the Supreme Court ordered he be imprisoned for eight years for the three finalised cases. His jail term was reduced to one year by HM the King.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... y-official

[Gaybutton]

Thaksin had surgery last week, now recovering says daughter

September 19, 2023

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has undergone surgery and is in the process of recovery according to his daughter Paetongtarn, who said on Tuesday she does not know how long he must remain in hospital.

Ms Paetongtarn was speaking to reporters at Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok.

Thaksin had the operation last week and had yet to recover. His blood pressure was good some days, but not so good other days, she said.

Ms Paetongtarn did not give further details. She said reporters should ask Thaksin's doctors.

She said she really had no idea on how long her father would have to remain in hospital.

A chief physician at Police General Hospital on Tuesday confirmed Thaksin had undergone surgery.

Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru said the former prime minister was operated on last week for several reasons. His condition was now safe and he was recovering.

On Monday, activists demanded an update on Thaksin's health, saying he had spent the last month in Police General Hospital, having been admitted almost immediatey after he was committed to prison, where he is serving a one-year sentence.

Ms Paetongtarn said that her family was considering applying for parole for Thaksin and they were aware of theregulations of the Department of Corrections.

Asked for a comment about a lese majeste case concerning Thaksin, Ms Paetongtarn said that resulted from a misunderstanding.

On Monday the Department of Corrections said that Thaksin would have to serve at least six months in prison before applying for a parole, or until late February.

The department will also decide if Thaksin needs continuous medical treatment outside prison.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand on the morning of Aug 22 after 15 years in self-exile. He had been convicted and sentenced and charged with fresh offences during his absence.

The same day the Supreme Court ordered he be imprisoned for eight years for the three finalised cases. However, he was sent from Bangkok Remand Prison that same night to Police General Hospital for health reasons.

His jail term was reduced to one year by HM the King.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... s-daughter