Court dismisses claims of favouritism in Thaksin hospital stay
The Constitutional Court dismissed allegations yesterday that state officials facilitated former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital stay during his prison sentence.
The petition, brought forward by Kongdecha Chairat, accused key figures, including Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Department of Corrections (DoC) Director General, and the chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, of allowing Thaksin to serve his sentence at Police General Hospital (PGH) rather than in prison. The court found no evidence supporting the claim that his health condition warranted such treatment.
Thaksin, who had been sentenced to eight years in prison for three separate cases, received royal clemency, reducing his sentence to one year. He spent approximately six months in a hospital ward located on the 14th floor before being paroled and discharged on February 18. His prison term officially ended on August 31.
Kongdecha argued that the officials’ actions violated Section 27 of the constitution, undermining the judiciary and constitutional monarchy. However, the court concluded that the allegations lacked sufficient evidence to prove negligence or malfeasance, leading to the unanimous dismissal of the petition.
“The accusations were deemed baseless, failing to show any intent to overthrow the constitutional system.”
Initially, Kongdecha submitted the petition to the attorney general (AG) on November 11, seeking a court order to restrict Thaksin’s influence over the officials involved. Following the AG’s dismissal, the case was taken directly to the Constitutional Court.
The dismissal came on the heels of an announcement by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Monday, declaring an investigation into the officials accused of enabling Thaksin’s hospital stay. This probe will focus on 12 officials from both the DoC and PGH.
On Thaksin’s initial night at Bangkok Remand Prison, medical professionals recommended his transfer to PGH due to symptoms including chest pain, hypertension, and low blood oxygen levels. While regulations permitted a 120-day treatment period outside of prison, the DoC allowed his hospitalisation to extend beyond December 22.
Political activists gathered at the NACC office yesterday, December 18, to back the commission’s efforts and urged a thorough investigation into Thaksin’s extended hospital stay within three months. They also submitted proposals for the NACC’s consideration during the investigation, highlighting the need to differentiate between Thaksin’s parole and hospitalisation.
“Thaksin appeared to be in good health, travelling and playing golf after his release, which contradicts the claims about his health condition.”
Activists pressed the NACC to obtain Thaksin’s medical records promptly and called for an examination of the roles played by the justice minister, the justice permanent secretary, and the police chief in handling Thaksin’s sentencing. They stressed the importance of transparent sentence management, especially in corruption-related cases.
The activists argued that while removing the statute of limitations was a step forward in tackling corruption, the absence of transparency in sentence management undermines public confidence in the justice system.
Present at the NACC office were notable figures like former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, lawyer Nititorn Lamlua, and Pichit Chaimongkol from the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, reported Bangkok Post.
