Corrections Dept told to transfer Thaksin from Police Hospital to army barracks

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT was today (Dec.13) suggested to transfer de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra from Police Hospital to army barracks.

House Committee on Police Affairs chair Chaichana Dejdecho advised the Corrections Department to find army barracks somewhere to detain Thaksin in lieu of Police Hospital, given a recently-issued regulation of the agency to “detain” convicts outside of a prison.

Thaksin who is largely believed to have more or less recovered from secrecy-shrouded “illnesses” has been staying in a tight-security, private ward at Police Hospital for nearly four months now.

According to the House committee chair, who is concurrently a Democrat MP, the department would be accused of applying double standards if Thaksin was allowed to stay at a private living quarters in lieu of Bangkok Remand Prison where he had been earlier destined upon his return from self-exile overseas on Aug.22.

Chaichana said any army barracks usually have many bunks, ample living quarters and a wide, open area in which the 74-year-old Thaksin could exercise daily or even undergo a basic training course like soldiers.

It remains to be seen whether the de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large, alleged of having feigned “illnesses” to keep himself from being literally put behind bars, will be further allowed by the authorities to stay at Police Hospital beyond a 120-day period due next week or be transferred to a certain place for “detainment” in accordance with the latest regulation of the department.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Corrections Department and Police Hospital are scheduled tomorrow (Dec.14) to testify before the Chaichana panel over whether the established judicial and correctional procedures and legal loopholes may have been practically compromised for the sake of the deposed prime minister.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Justice Minister Thavi Sodsong have remained tightlipped and sidestepped reporters’ questions about existing rules and regulations which may govern the future “detainment” of the de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large.

Former Democrat MP Thepthai Senapong commented that the Corrections Department’s latest regulation pertaining to the “detainment” of convicts outside of a prison had been allegedly designed to specifically give Thaksin the exceptional privileges and sustained freedom.

The de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large has been invariably accused of staying above the law and not only being still powerful over the Pheu Thai rank and file but all other coalition partners in hush-hush fashion.

Given a cell phone constantly available for use, Thaksin could practically give out orders from his private ward at the hospital to his men, including Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Phumtham Wechayachai, who has become a deputy prime minister-cum-commerce minister, and Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the prime minister.

Thaksin had been earlier convicted as guilty of a few counts of misconduct perpetrated during his previous premiership and delivered in absentia an eight-year jail sentence which was already curtailed by royal pardon to only one year with the probability of being released on parole as soon as around the New Year period and upcoming February.

CAPTIONS:

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra next to Police Hospital building. Top photo: Matichon, Front Page photo: Sanook.com

Insert: House Committee on Police Affairs chair Chaichana Dejdecho. Photo: Thai Rath

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