Thaksin’s hospital treatment probe faces authority limits: Committee
A House committee investigating allegations of special treatment for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his detention at Police General Hospital (PGH) faces limitations in its authority. The Department of Corrections clarified that the committee cannot summon Thaksin or related agencies to testify.
Chaired by Rangsiman Rome, an MP from the opposition People’s Party, the committee on state security, border affairs, national strategy, and reform has invited several key figures to participate in the inquiry. These include Thaksin, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, Department of Corrections Director-General Sahakarn Petchnarin, Police General Hospital Director Police Lieutenant General Taweesilp Wechawitarn, and Medical Correctional Institution Director Wattanachai Mingbancherdsuk.
Concerns arose during the committee’s previous meeting, revealing “worrying” information about prison treatment standards and the transfer of severely ill prisoners. However, no concrete evidence, such as treatment details, photos, or videos from the PGH, was presented to verify whether prisoners receiving medical care outside the prison were treated consistently.
Somboon Muangklam, an adviser to the justice minister, announced that the Department of Corrections had informed the House committee through a letter that it lacks the authority to pursue the investigation. Other bodies, including the House Committee on police affairs and independent agencies, are also probing the issue.
Somboon further indicated that the committee led by Rangsiman is duplicating efforts already undertaken by other agencies, as stated in the correspondence. He did not confirm whether the justice minister and the corrections chief would attend the scheduled House committee meeting today, November 22.
Rangsiman emphasised that the committee seeks to provide all parties with a platform to address public concerns over the claims of Thaksin’s preferential treatment at the hospital.
“If Thaksin is confident he did nothing wrong, he should come and explain the matter so all the doubts will be laid to rest.
“The government has been criticised for keeping people in the dark about Thaksin’s stay on the 14th floor of the PGH.”
Thaksin returned to Thailand on August 22 after 15 years of self-imposed exile. On that day, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison for abuse of power and conflict of interest during his tenure as prime minister before 2006. His sentence was later reduced to one year under a royal pardon.
On his first night at the Bangkok Remand Prison, corrections doctors deemed it necessary to transfer him to the PGH. He stayed there for six months, fulfilling parole conditions without spending a single night in prison, reported Bangkok Post.
ORIGINAL STORY: Thaksin under scrutiny for possible VIP hospital privileges
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, is set to be summoned by a parliamentary committee to address allegations regarding his treatment at the Police General Hospital during his detention. These claims suggest the 74 year old politician received special privileges while at the hospital, raising questions about the standard procedures typically followed for prisoners requiring medical attention.
The committee, dealing with state security and chaired by People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome, plans to convene a second meeting on this matter on November 22. Key figures, including Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, Sahakarn Petchnarin of the Department of Corrections, and Police Lieutenant General Taweesilp Wechawitarn, director at the Police General Hospital, are also expected to be present. Additionally, medical specialists and experts will join the discussion to provide insights into the treatment standards.
During their initial meeting, committee members uncovered information they found troubling, particularly concerning the medical care provided in prisons. An anonymous source indicated that discrepancies existed in the treatment records and monitoring measures, especially for prisoners transferred due to serious health issues. Notably, no photographic or video documentation from the Police General Hospital matched the standard care protocols for prisoners outside correctional facilities.
Police Lieutenant General Piya Tawichai, a spokesperson for the Palang Pracharath Party, commented on the potential repercussions for officers if Thaksin’s prolonged stay on the VIP floor of the police hospital is proven unjustified.
He highlighted the need for constant supervision of prisoners sent for external medical treatment and the continuous presence of police officers at local stations. However, the CCTV cameras on the hospital’s 14th floor were reportedly nonfunctional, and the absence of medical and prescription records further fuelled suspicions.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is also probing into the circumstances surrounding Thaksin’s extended hospitalisation. His return to Thailand on August 22 marked the end of his 15-year self-imposed exile. On that day, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison, later reduced to one year following a royal pardon, for abuse of power and conflict of interest during his tenure as prime minister before 2006.
Thaksin’s transfer to the Police General Hospital occurred on his first night at Bangkok Remand Prison after corrections doctors deemed it necessary. He remained at the hospital for six months, eventually fulfilling the conditions for parole without spending a night in prison, reported Bangkok Post.
