Activists gather at Police Hospital to find out about Thaksin’s ailment

By Thai Newsroom Reporter

A DOZEN POLITICAL ACTIVISTS today (Oct.22) gathered at Police Hospital in pursuit of the truth behind the “sickly” de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convicted inmate Thaksin Shinawatra.

Surrounded by policemen, the Students’ and People’s Network for Thailand Reform activists peacefully occupied a spot outside a building in the premises of Police Hospital where Thaksin has already stayed for two months and insisted that Police chief Pol.Gen.Torsak Sukwimon or any high-level government officials unambiguously respond as to whether the de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convicted inmate may be actually suffering from any illnesses which could justify his prolonged stay at the hospital in vicinity of the National Police headquarters.

The police kept the anti-Thaksin demonstrators at bay, saying no visitors other than his relatives are allowed to get into a private ward on the 14th floor of the hospital’s building to see him.

Nitithorn Lumlua, a leading activist, told the police that he would not give up until his questions about Thaksin’s health conditions have been clearly answered by the police chief or other high-level government officials.

He sarcastically asked the police to find out whether the “sickly” Thaksin is carrying an inmate’s ID card which may have been issued by the Corrections Department whilst being given a prolonged stay and medical treatments at the hospital for “illnesses” the details of which have yet remained a mystery to the public. Government officials have earlier cited the lawful privacy of the patient whose health conditions may invariably remain in secrecy.

The anti-Thaksin activists’ latest movement apparently followed an official endorsement by Corrections Department director-general Sahakarn Petnarin for his prolonged stay outside a prison beyond a 60-day limit which would have otherwise ended today.

According to the department chief, the “sickly” Thaksin may even stay longer than a 90-day limit at the hospital only if the doctors who have been taking care of him recommend so.

The de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convicted inmate had stayed for barely a day in the premises of Bangkok Remand Prison before he was rushed to Police Hospital in the middle of the night for “illnesses” the details of which have not yet been divulged to the public.

Snapshots of Thaksin had been taken to purportedly show his good health whilst residing in self-exile abroad just before he returned aboard a private jet to Bangkok on August 22, the date on which Srettha Thavisin, known as personally associated with his sister/deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, was named prime minister by lawmakers at parliament.

The de facto Pheu Thai boss had been earlier sentenced to eight years in prison on a few counts of convicted misconduct during his previous premiership. Given royal pardon, his jail sentence was already curtailed to only one year with the probability of his being released on parole by next February.

CAPTION:

The Students’ and People’s Network for Thailand Reform activists at Police Hospital today, Oct. 22, 2023. Photos: Naewna

Also read: Corrections Dept chief allows ‘sickly’ Thaksin to stay longer at Police Hospital

Activists plan to visit Thaksin at hospital uninvited

Thaksin could possibly be freed on parole after 6 months in jail

Thaksin granted royal pardon to serve just one year in jail

Thaksin moved to Police Hospital suite in the middle of the night

Update: People equally divided over extending night venue opening hours

Pita off to US to attend TIME100 Next event

Another Thai dead in Israel-Hamas war, two more taken hostage

Pheu Thai digital wallet project merely copycatting Japan: MP