Thaksin to return Aug. 10?

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

Rumour mills fired up shortly after Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that her father Thaksin will end his self-imposed exile and return to Thailand on August 10.

Today (Wednesday) is Thaksin’s 74th birthday and he is said to be in Hong Kong, where he will host a birthday party. It is believed that some senior politicians will travel to Hong Kong to join the celebration for Thaksin.

It is for sure that, when they meet with Thaksin in Hong Kong, high on the agenda will be how to break the ongoing political impasse, which is seeing the Pheu Thai party, so far, failing to convince parties outside the eight-party alliance to join the coalition.

Pheu Thai has tried hard to build a bloc of at least 375 House votes for its prime ministerial candidate, so that it would not have to rely on the senators’ support. The party does not want to repeat Move Forward’s failure to gain enough senators’ votes, which sank Pita Limjaroenrat’s dream of becoming the next prime minister.

Some political observers claim that Move Forward may back down from its campaigns to amend the lèse majesté law. All the parties outside the coalition have refused to get involved, because of this policy.

Now that Pheu Thai leads the negotiations in forming the government and Thaksin is known to be the boss behind all Pheu Thai moves, Move Forward has to talk to the right man if it wants to be in the government, said a political observer.

Move Forward’s core members, like Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and secretary general Chaithawat Tulathon, have separately denied that they either travelled to Hong Kong to meet Thaksin or were informed about the trip.

[fedssocr]

I thought he already did a deal with Anutin in Dubai recently. But I guess not.

I have to say that this whole 112 dust up seems like an excuse to me. Even if they were all in the coalition none of these people would be required to vote for any 112 amendments. And if PT has the PM spot such a thing would never come up for a vote in the first place. 

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

Thaksin delays his return again

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced today (Saturday) that he is delaying his return to Thailand again, this time citing medical reasons.

Thaksin tweeted that he is postponing his return for no more than two weeks, adding “My doctors say I should have physical examination first.”

Thaksin now postponed his return 20 times throughout his 17 years of self-imposed exile. Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006. During his absence, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office sentenced him to a total of 12 years imprisonment in four cases.

The postponement of Thaksin’s return coincides with a further delay in selecting the country’s next prime minister, which was due to have taken place yesterday, but which has been delayed until at least August 18.

[reader]

Thaksin’s may return August 22

From Thai PBS World

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will fly back to Thailand on August 22^nd, the same day that parliament will meet to select a new prime minister.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter and head of Pheu Thai “Family”, said in her Twitter and Instagram posts this morning (Saturday) that she will travel to Don Mueang airport to meet her father, who is scheduled to land at about 9am in his private jet.

Thaksin had previously announced that he would return to Thailand on August 10, but he abruptly changed his plan, claiming that he had to see his doctor.

It is reported that authorities have already made preparations for his return, after 17 years of self-imposed exile. Thaksin’s aircraft will park in a special zone reserved for private jets and immigration officials will receive him upon his arrival.

They will process him and inform him of the outstanding arrest warrants against him, before handing him over to Corrections Department officials, who will also be at the airport.

Thaksin will then be taken to the Supreme Court, in line with the required legal procedure.

 

[fedssocr]

a total coincidence!

[Keithambrose]

It would be interesting to know what has already been agreed, behind the scenes. I am sure it will not include Thaksin going to prison!

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

Thaksin to get extra security and “adequate conveniences” while in prison

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be given additional security and appropriate “conveniences” while he is detained at Bangkok remand prison, following his return to Thailand this Tuesday, according to Aryut Sinthoppan, director-general of the Corrections Department.

He said that he has received instructions from Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, also acting justice minister, on Thaksin’s security, convenience and comfort while inBangkok remand prison.

According to Wissanu, the former prime minister should be provided with extra security, because he is at more risk than other inmates, and be provided with appropriate conveniences“but not to the extent that they could be seen as a privilege”,because he is expected to be visited by representatives of international organisations, human rights groups, his supporters and members of the media.

Regarding the issue of comfort, Wissanu wants Thaksin to be provided with appropriate comfort for someone who is over 70 years of age and ailing, said Aryut.

For security reasons, he said Thaksin may not be incarcerated with the other inmates, because prison officials will have to take care of his food and ensure that his visitations will not affect the rights of other inmates.

[vinapu]

I guess top floor of one of 5 star hotels will be his prison. It must be close to Silom as Foodland Patpong is only 7 star restaurant in Bangkok so my guess is his meals will come from there.

[fedssocr]

they were talking about some sort of hospital confinement. I presume his pardon is tied up with throwing MFP out of the coalition

[PeterRS]

3 hours ago, fedssocr said:

I presume his pardon is tied up with throwing MFP out of the coalition

Would it not be more likely that it is dependent on Pheu Thai having the upper hand in the new parliament - should that ever actually be sworn in?

[Keithambrose]

7 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Would it not be more likely that it is dependent on Pheu Thai having the upper hand in the new parliament - should that ever actually be sworn in?

Whatever it is, I am sure that a deal, with appropriate emoluments has already bee done! 

[reader]

From Coconuts Bangkok

Bangkok Remand Prison suspends visitation amid Thaksin’s return

Bangkok Remand Prison announced today it would suspend visiting relatives at the prison tomorrow as it plans to tighten up security in the Lat Yao prison area, where it is expected a large crowd may gather if former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is transferred here after returning from his self-imposed exile.

“We kindly request closing visiting privileges at the prison for one day on Tuesday, August 22, 2023,” the prison announced via its Facebook page today. “This is to ensure security in the Lat Yao prison area, where there might be a large crowd.”

This announcement comes after Thaksin, who spent 15 years living in exile, claimed multiple times that he would fly back to Thailand, reaffirming he will land at Don Mueang Airport at 9am tomorrow via private plane. He has said he will turn himself in upon arrival. 

“Tomorrow at 9am, I would like to seek your permission to be back in Thailand to live on Thai soil and breathe the same air as my Thai brothers and sisters,” Thaksin wrote in a tweet Monday evening.

Reports say if he arrives within court hours, he will be held at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office before taking him to the Bangkok Remand Prison. If he arrives after court hours, he will be taken to the Royal Thai Police Sports Club where he will be detained for one night before he is taken to the Supreme Court the following morning.

According to corrections department chief Aryut Sintopphan, Thaksin will be recorded as an inmate once he is handed over to the Bangkok Remand Prison. He will then be placed under quarantine for 10 days once his records have been taken.

=================

From Thai PBS World

Eleven parties agree to form government, with Srettha as PM

Pheu Thai party leader Cholnan Srikaew announced today (Monday) a coalition of 11 parties, to form a new government for Thailand, commanding a total of 314 seats in the House of Representatives.

Pheu Thai is taking eight ministerial and nine deputy ministerial portfolios, including Prime Minister.

In a joint statement by the 11 parties, the coalition has agreed to nominate former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as their sole candidate for prime minister when parliament meets tomorrow.

They also agreed not to touch the lèse majesté law and that the coalition will not include the Move Forward party.

The remaining cabinet seats will be shared between Bhumjaithai (4 ministers and deputies), Palang Pracharath (2 ministers and 2 deputies), United Thai Nation (2 ministers and 2 deputies). Chartthaipattana and Prachachat will each get one ministerial portfolio.

The remaining smaller parties, which have one or two seats each in the House, do not get any cabinet seats. It is not yet known, which parties will get what ministries. The Thai cabinet consists of 35 ministers and deputy ministers and one prime minister.

According to the statement, all 11 parties have agreed to implement Pheu Thai’s election manifesto policies, such as a 600 baht minimum wage within 2027, 25,000 baht minimum salary for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree, ending conscription, the 10,000 baht digital wallet subsidy for all Thai nationals over 16, increased farm gate product prices, constitutional amendments and medical cannabis.

[fedssocr]

8 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Would it not be more likely that it is dependent on Pheu Thai having the upper hand in the new parliament - should that ever actually be sworn in?

The pardon has to come from above. So removing the one party that threatens (however little) that institution was likely the condition. 

[vinapu]

rare situation, biggest party in parliament bypassed from forming government.  That and 11 parties  in cabinet doesn't seems to promise stable government. As for lese majeste law , law is not a problem , what counts is  it's how it's applied. 

[reader]

From The Nation

Thaksin taken to Bangkok Remand Prison to start serving his jail terms

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was handed over to the Bangkok Remand Prison on Tuesday, so he can start serving his jail terms for three convictions.

Corrections Department officials delivered Thaksin to prison at 11.20am after he was taken to the Supreme Court to hear the court’s verdicts against him in three cases.

Prison officials had prepared an area outside the prison for reporters and supporters. As Thaksin was being taken into prison through the front gate, waiting red-shirt supporters shouted their support for him in unison.

====================

The Corrections Department said on Tuesday afternoon that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was isolated inside the Bangkok Remand Prison’s hospital after doctors diagnosed him with four co-morbidities.

Thaksin was taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison immediately after he was read his jail sentences in three convictions by the Supreme Court earlier in the day.

The announcement was made by Aryut Sintopphan, director-general of the Corrections Department, at 12.45pm.

Aryut said the department would ensure Thaksin’s safety inside the prison.

He said the Bangkok Remand Prison would have to designate a special building or space for relatives and supporters to visit the former prime minister.

------------------------

The Corrections Department said on Tuesday afternoon that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was isolated inside the Bangkok Remand Prison’s hospital after doctors diagnosed him with four co-morbidities.

As Thaksin is aged — he turned 74 last month — he will have to be taken good care of so that he does not fall ill during his detention, the director-general added.

He said that prison officials have made a record of Thaksin as a new inmate and doctors of the prison hospital have checked his health.

Sitthi Sutheewong, deputy director-general of the Corrections Department, said doctors of the prison hospital found that Thaksin was vulnerable to ill health as he had co-morbidities and needed to be continually monitored by doctors.

As a result, the prison decided to detain Thaksin alone in Zone 7, which is the hospital of the Bangkok Remand Prison where he would be monitored by medical staff around the clock, Sitthi added.

According to Sitthi, Thaksin has the following illnesses:

▪︎ Ischemia, a heart condition in which blood flow is restricted and doctors need to prescribe anti-blood-clotting drugs to him regularly.

▪︎ He has had severe lung infections because of Covid. Although he has been cured, his lungs still have adhesion, causing him to feel tired easily.

▪︎ Thaksin suffers from hypertension and needs to take medicines regularly because of high blood pressure.

▪︎ He has been suffering from degenerative spine and herniated discs, which have affected his balance and walk.

▪︎ Ischemia, a heart condition in which blood flow is restricted and doctors need to prescribe anti-blood-clotting drugs to him regularly.

▪︎ He has had severe lung infections because of Covid. Although he has been cured, his lungs still have adhesion, causing him to feel tired easily.

▪︎ Thaksin suffers from hypertension and needs to take medicines regularly because of high blood pressure.

▪︎ He has been suffering from degenerative spine and herniated discs, which have affected his balance and walk

 

 

[vinapu]

54 minutes ago, reader said:

 

According to Sitthi, Thaksin has the following illnesses:

▪︎ Ischemia, a heart condition in which blood flow is restricted and doctors need to prescribe anti-blood-clotting drugs to him regularly.

▪︎ He has had severe lung infections because of Covid. Although he has been cured, his lungs still have adhesion, causing him to feel tired easily.

▪︎ Thaksin suffers from hypertension and needs to take medicines regularly because of high blood pressure.

▪︎ He has been suffering from degenerative spine and herniated discs, which have affected his balance and walk.

▪︎ Ischemia, a heart condition in which blood flow is restricted and doctors need to prescribe anti-blood-clotting drugs to him regularly.

▪︎ He has had severe lung infections because of Covid. Although he has been cured, his lungs still have adhesion, causing him to feel tired easily.

▪︎ Thaksin suffers from hypertension and needs to take medicines regularly because of high blood pressure.

▪︎ He has been suffering from degenerative spine and herniated discs, which have affected his balance and walk

 

 

in short his health is good according to his age.

I don't think he will spend much time there, he either will be pardoned or released on health grounds

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

Thaksin taken to Police Hospital for heart treatment

The Corrections Department confirmed today (Wednesday) that it had to send former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the Police Hospital in the middle last night, because the department’s hospital does not have adequate equipment to cope with his ailments, particularly his heart disease.

The department said, in a statement issued Wednesday morning, that at 11.59pm, a nurse in Zone 7 of the Bangkok Remand Prison reported that Thaksin experienced tightness in his chest and could not sleep well. He was also suffering hypoxemia and hypertension.

The nurse then consulted a doctor, who checked the medical records in files from hospitals in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, where Thaksin had been treated before his return to Thailand yesterday.

The files show that Thaksin has several ailments under treatment, including high blood pressure (hypertension), myocardial ischemia, a degenerative spine, pulmonary fibrosis and heart disease, which requires special monitoring.

=====================

Excerpted from Pattaya Mail

On the matter of amnesty, the officials said a royal pardon can be requested as soon as on the first day of Thaksin entering prison. Thaksin or a family member also has the option of doing so by supplying the relevant documents to officials at Bangkok Remand Prison. In this case, the prison would forward the papers to the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice. The request will then be presented to the prime minister who will consider giving his signature and forwarding the request to the Office of the Privy Council. The office will then present the request to His Majesty the King.

According to officials at the press conference, the process of requesting a royal pardon would take 1-2 months.

[vinapu]

On 8/22/2023 at 7:30 AM, vinapu said:

I don't think he will spend much time there, he either will be pardoned or released on health grounds

 

2 hours ago, reader said:

 

Thaksin taken to Police Hospital for heart treatment

 

that was fast. Am I prophet or what ?

[fedssocr]

he wouldn't have come back if he expected to spend much time in prison. Surely this was all worked out in advance. He'll probably be on the tennis court tomorrow

[reader]

....and that's probably the only court. 🙂

[reader]

From The Nation

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s health condition was worrying but the Police General Hospital would not transfer him to a private hospital for treatment, the hospital’s chief physician said on Friday.

Pol Lt-General Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru said that a medical checkup on Wednesday found that the condition of Thaksin’s lungs and heart was “worrying”.

“His blood pressure has stabilised. He did not collapse and he was able to communicate with the doctor [during the checkup],” the chief physician told reporters.

He declined to estimate how long it would take for Thaksin to be treated at the hospital.

Thaksin, 74, was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital at an early hour on Wednesday.

In response to media reports that Thaksin would be moved to a private hospital, the chief physician said that the Police General Hospital had the capacity and equipment needed to treat the former prime minister.

“He definitely would not be moved to any hospital. The only transfer after this is back to the Corrections Department hospital,” Sophonrat said.

However, he added that the Corrections Department may consider moving Thaksin to another facility if it found that treatment at the Police General Hospital was ineffective.

In a related development, restricted access appeared to be imposed on the Police General Hospital’s computer system on in-patients, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday. The move came after rumours that Thaksin was moved out of the hospital and admitted to a Bangkok luxury private hospital.

A source at the Police General Hospital told Nation TV that even staff members at the hospital could not access the system to see if Thaksin was still being treated there.

It was reported earlier that the ex-premier was admitted to a suite in the hospital’s Premium Ward, on the 14th floor of a new building.

[Keithambrose]

3 hours ago, reader said:

From The Nation

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s health condition was worrying but the Police General Hospital would not transfer him to a private hospital for treatment, the hospital’s chief physician said on Friday.

Pol Lt-General Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru said that a medical checkup on Wednesday found that the condition of Thaksin’s lungs and heart was “worrying”.

“His blood pressure has stabilised. He did not collapse and he was able to communicate with the doctor [during the checkup],” the chief physician told reporters.

He declined to estimate how long it would take for Thaksin to be treated at the hospital.

Thaksin, 74, was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital at an early hour on Wednesday.

In response to media reports that Thaksin would be moved to a private hospital, the chief physician said that the Police General Hospital had the capacity and equipment needed to treat the former prime minister.

“He definitely would not be moved to any hospital. The only transfer after this is back to the Corrections Department hospital,” Sophonrat said.

However, he added that the Corrections Department may consider moving Thaksin to another facility if it found that treatment at the Police General Hospital was ineffective.

In a related development, restricted access appeared to be imposed on the Police General Hospital’s computer system on in-patients, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday. The move came after rumours that Thaksin was moved out of the hospital and admitted to a Bangkok luxury private hospital.

A source at the Police General Hospital told Nation TV that even staff members at the hospital could not access the system to see if Thaksin was still being treated there.

It was reported earlier that the ex-premier was admitted to a suite in the hospital’s Premium Ward, on the 14th floor of a new building.

Ground laid for a pardon on compassionate grounds!