By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION Commission has been petitioned to conduct an inquiry into questionable performance of certain high-level government officials which could allegedly tantamount to a practice of double standards in favour of de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra.
Former Democrat MP Watchara Petthong has submitted his petition to NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol over the weekend calling for the anti-graft agency to directly interrogate Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, Corrections Department director-general Sahakarn Petnarin and Police Hospital’s chief executive official Thaweesilp Wechawitharn on grounds of having allegedly managed to grant excessive privileges to the “sickly” Thaksin which are allegedly unprovided for other convicts.
However, the ex-MP suggested that other government officials of the Corrections Department and Police Hospital be treated as personal witnesses if they provide investigating subcommittees of the anti-graft agency with truthful, useful information pertaining to the contentious handling of Thaksin case.
Watchara’s latest move against the de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict apparently followed yesterday’s visit to Police Hospital by House Committee on Police Affairs chair/Democrat MP Chaichana Dejdecho.
The House committee chair told reporters he had no idea whether the “sickly” Thaksin was literally staying in one of the private wards at Police Hospital since he was not allowed to take a look at him.
The hospital’s chief executive official had reportedly deemed it “very unsuitable” for the House committee chair to visit the “sickly” de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict in person.
A couple of Corrections Department officials and five policemen literally stood in Chaichana’s way outside of the wards.
Thaksin, who has been staying for secrecy-shrouded “illnesses”, has never literally spent a single day behind bars at Bangkok Remand Prison and been instead staying at Police Hospital for four and a half months so far since he returned from self-exile abroad last August, is largely anticipated to be released on parole next month.
The deposed prime minister had been earlier convicted by court of misconduct in office and originally sentenced in absentia to an eight-year jail term which was curtailed by royal pardon to one year.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Former Democrat MP Watchara Petthong talking to reporters at the National Anti-Corruption Commission office. Photo: Thai Rath
Insert and Front Page: House Committee on Police Affairs chair Chaichana Dejdecho at Police Hospital yesterday, Jan. 12, 2024. Photo on this page: Matichon, on Front Page: Thai Rath
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