On December 26, 2023, the chairman of the Thai Thai Protector Party, veteran politician Dr. Ditch Vigan, filed a petition with the Supreme Administrative Court to veto a new corrections statute that would allow convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to undergo at the Police General Hospital and avoid jail time. The move has sparked controversy, with Dr. Ditchwegen saying the statute could give the executive branch and the politically supervised corrections department greater power to change the length of a court sentence, which is contrary to the country's justice system and the rule of law.
Thai Thai Protector Party**
The chairman of the Thai Protectorate, Dr. Ditch Wigan, led representatives of the eight affiliated parties to submit their ** documents to the Supreme Administrative Court. "The statute could give the executive branch and the corrections department, which is under political supervision, more power to change the term of imprisonment imposed by the courts," the former parliamentarian said. He further noted that this has shaken the country's judicial system and the foundations of the rule of law.
Taxin's comeback and health
Thaksin returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, after 15 years of exile abroad. On the same day, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison, which was later reduced to one year through a royal pardon. The 74-year-old former prime minister entered prison on the night of August 22 but was transferred to the General Police Hospital 13 hours later. The General Police Hospital has an agreement with the Department of Corrections to allow it to admit seriously ill patients under its supervision.
Dr. Ditchwegen expressed doubts about whether Thaksin was really seriously ill and urged representatives from the General Police Hospital, the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Corrections and ** to disclose the prisoner's current health status. "People have to be sure that he (Thaksin) is still in the hospital. Without evidence, the possibility of jailbreaking may arise. He said.
Response from the Ministry of Justice of Thailand
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Tawi Sosun said that despite Thaksin's stay at the Police General Hospital for more than 120 days, the Director General of the Department of Corrections (Sahakarn Phetnarin) has not yet submitted a doctor's opinion on Thaksin's Shinawatra's condition. According to the regulations, when the medical leave of an inmate exceeds 120 days, the advice of the relevant doctor and the prison director is required.
Conclusion
In Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's health condition and the question of whether he should remain at the Police General Hospital have aroused widespread concern in society. The Supreme Administrative Court will review the new corrections statute, which will determine whether Taksin will be able to stay in the hospital and avoid jail time. The controversy centers on whether the regulations undermine the independence of the judiciary and whether Thaksin's true health is adequately disclosed. The incident will continue to tug at the nerves of Thai society and spark more discussion about the rule of law and the political system.