WITH today (Aug. 28) being the first time that Pheu Thai de facto boss Thaksin Shinawatra is being allowed visitors at Police Hospital where he is undergoing medical treatment after being rushed there from prison last Tuesday upon returning to Thailand that same day, the hospital’s car park attendant said no instructions had been given to arrange special parking spaces for them, Matichon newspaper said today (Aug. 28).
Altogether 10 family members and lawyers had signed up to visit him at the 14th floor of Maha Bhumibol Rachanusorn 88th Birthday Anniversary building from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The first person to show up to see him in the afternoon was Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter and head of Pheu Thai Family. She spent around an hour with him and then left in a van parked in front of the building.
Arrangements were made for reporters who gathered there to cover the event to stay in a particular spot so as to not disrupt hospital work with some staff members telling them the 14th floor where Thaksin is staying is very quiet.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sophonrat Singhacharu, the hospital’s chief physician, had come to work and was examining patients but had not yet seen Thaksin. A duty nurse whose shift had ended briefly told the reporters that no one including the chief physician had yet come to see Thaksin.
Reporters spotted Pol. Lt. Gen. Sophonrat’s sedan at the car park and questioned the attendant who told them that this is his normal parking spot with the doctor usually travelling by train.
Reporters had heard that an order had been given to prepare parking space for Thaksin’s family and lawyers visiting him today but the attendant said he had not received any such order with his duty being to treat everyone equally.
Meanwhile Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom sent representatives to the Corrections Department this morning to file an objection against applying for a royal pardon for Thaksin amid reports that he is going to do so.
The party’s treasurer Mr. Anan Sakorncharoen handed over their letter to officials stating their objection on the following grounds:
– Thaksin was sentenced to imprisonment for corruption and misconduct while serving as prime minister and had also fled abroad;
– Pardoning him will destroy the rule of law and lead to injustice while creating inequality;
– When Gen. Paiboon Koomchaya served as justice minister, he upheld a policy of not requesting royal pardon for prisoners involved in corruption in order to maintain good governance.
At the same time Thai Pakdee’s deputy leader Mr. Thosaphol Phromket went to the Attorney General’s Office and filed a request to accelerate a lese majeste case against Thaksin with this based on an interview he gave to Time magazine in South Korea on November 9, 2009 where part of the content was deemed to have defamed the monarchy.
Later on October 6, 2017, the Attorney General had concluded that Thaksin should be prosecuted on two counts with one being under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, and other the Computer Crime Act but as he was overseas the case was not filed in court.
CAPTION:
Top: Pheu Thai de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra with his daughter and head of Pheu Thai Family Paetongtarn Shinawatra upon his arrival at Don Mueang Airport last Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Insert: Thai Pakdee’s treasurer Mr. Anan Sakorncharoen handing over this party’s letter to a senior Corrections Department official.
Front Page: Police Hospital’s car park. All photos: Matichon
Also read:Â Pita urges Srettha cabinet to fulfil promises to the people
Most people don’t believe in Pheu Thai design to melt polarisation: NIDA Poll
AOT rushes to ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang while pushing Phang Nga airport
Srettha confirms planned Phang Nga airport would be for large aircraft
Allocation of cabinet seats among coalition partners completed
Pheu Thai popularity rating drops to 10%: Sripatum Poll
Srettha off to Phuket to resolve tourism woes
New constitution campaign gets over 50,000 signatures before deadline
Thanathorn urges public to sign petition to draft new charter
2 Replies to “No special parking arrangement for Thaksin’s visitors at Police Hospital”