Protesters accuse Thai govt of favouring Thaksin in hospital stay
A group of protesters plans to submit a letter to the government, criticising it for allegedly granting former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra special treatment at Police General Hospital last year.
Thaksin, who was meant to be serving a prison sentence for abuse of power, was reportedly allowed to remain in hospital instead, according to former red shirt leader, 58 year old Jatuporn Prompan.
During a Facebook livestream, Jatuporn revealed the group’s intention to visit Government House on January 21 to meet the PM in her role as supervisor of the Royal Thai Police.
He emphasised that those responsible must face consequences if they are found to have helped Thaksin evade imprisonment.
This follows the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) investigation into officials accused of enabling Thaksin’s hospital stay instead of incarceration.
The inquiry by the NACC focuses on 12 officials from the Department of Corrections and Police General Hospital, excluding government politicians. Concurrently, the Medical Council of Thailand has initiated an investigation into the ethics of the doctors involved in Thaksin’s case.
The Medical Council requested that the hospital provide details regarding Thaksin’s prolonged stay as part of an ethical investigation led by a sub-committee chaired by 68 year old Amorn Leelarasamee. The sub-committee is examining claims of preferential treatment received by Thaksin.
They have asked for comprehensive information on Thaksin’s admission, diagnosis, treatment, and the identities of the doctors who attended to him.
Additionally, the sub-committee seeks copies of all documentation related to Thaksin’s transfer from the Department of Corrections hospital to Police General Hospital, including surgery records, prescribed medications, X-rays, and lab test results, to be submitted by January 15, reported Bangkok Post.
It remains uncertain how much detail will be provided, considering patient privacy concerns.
Jatuporn expressed his expectation that the Medical Council would conclude its investigation swiftly upon receiving the necessary information. He also anticipates that the findings of the ethical probe will support the NACC’s investigation.
Thaksin, originally sentenced to eight years in prison across three cases before receiving royal clemency reducing the term to one year, spent about six months in a ward on the hospital’s 14th floor. He was paroled and discharged from the hospital on February 18, 2024, officially completing his prison term on August 31.
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