Thaksin was transferred to the hospital within less than 24 hours of imprisonment after returning to his home country
On August 23rd local time, the Disciplinary Department of the Thai Ministry of Justice stated that former Prime Minister Thaksin was urgently taken to the hospital in the early hours of the same day due to health reasons. It was less than 24 hours before Thaksin returned to China and was imprisoned.
Against the backdrop of months of turmoil in Thai politics, this scene is seen as the latest turning point. Public opinion has noticed that the Thai party, which has just become the ruling party and is associated with Thaksin, may help him obtain a royal pardon.
Overnight transfer
The Disciplinary Department of the Thai Ministry of Justice stated that Thaksin developed hypertension, hypoxemia, chest tightness, and insomnia on the night of his imprisonment on the 22nd. Prison medical staff believe that in order to prevent Thaksin's life from being in danger, it is recommended to urgently send him to a larger hospital with more professional personnel and equipment.
According to Thai media reports, in the early morning of the 23rd, he was taken from Bangkok Special Prison to the Police General Hospital. According to regulations, prison staff are also deployed in the hospital.
Doctor Sopenla Sinhajaru from the Police General Hospital said that as of the morning of the 23rd, Thaksin's health has improved, but he still has symptoms of hypertension and low blood oxygen, and continuous monitoring is still needed.
The doctor also revealed that he received intravenous drip treatment and still wore a breathing mask. "He didn't make a request. He could hardly speak."
At present, neither the police nor the prison have disclosed how long Thaksin will be receiving treatment in the hospital. Vice Prime Minister Weshanu of the caretaker government said there is no fixed schedule for the treatment of prisoners. Another lawyer stated that according to regulations, once Thaksin fully recovers, he must return to prison.
This scene can be described as dramatic, as it was less than 24 hours before Thaksin returned to China and was imprisoned. On the morning of the 22nd, after more than ten years of exile overseas, Thaksin returned to Thailand. At that time, hundreds of supporters of Thaksin, mainly elderly voters, went to the airport to welcome him. But shortly after his arrival, Thaksin was escorted by the police to the court.
After the Thai Supreme Court read out his sentence of 8 years imprisonment for three charges, Thaksin was sent to Bangkok Special Prison to serve his sentence at noon on the 22nd. The Supreme Court issued a statement on the same day, stating that he is suspected of corruption and other charges.
The Thai Prison Authority stated that the medical examination results showed that the 74 year old Thaksin had health problems in areas such as heart, lungs, and blood pressure, making him a vulnerable group and requiring solitary confinement. The prison has made arrangements for Thaksin's personal safety, visits to relatives and friends, and medical examinations.
For Thaksin, he was transferred to the hospital within less than 24 hours of imprisonment. The reactions of the Thai people have been mixed, just as they have seen him in the past 20 years. Some people express concerns about his health condition, while others question whether the former prime minister has received treatment that is different from ordinary people. On social media, the term "VVIP" has made headlines. Some media outlets have also released videos of Thaksin Shinawatra's past superior lifestyle and strong physique.
However, the Police General Hospital stated that they did not provide special treatment to Thaksin and that the hospital had previously accepted prisoners.
Latest turning point
The fate and future of Thaksin cannot be traced back to his political career. In 2001, telecommunications tycoon Thaksin underwent a transformation and won the election with an overwhelming advantage, becoming prime minister. In rural areas in the north, Thaksin attracted a group of loyal supporters with his grassroots beliefs.
However, with the rise of the Shinawatra family, where Thaksin resides, its differences and contradictions with conservative forces have become increasingly prominent. In 2006, the Thaksin administration was overthrown by a military coup. He is also accused of corruption in cases of lottery fraud and illegal bank loans. Except for a brief return to foreign countries in 2008, Thaksin has been in long-term exile overseas.
At the same time, Thaksin has condemned these accusations as politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from taking power. For many years, Thaksin has also maintained a certain influence in Thai politics. The current Thai Party is derived from the former ruling party, the Thai Aitai Party, founded by Thaksin.
For over a decade, Thaksin has repeatedly expressed plans to return to his home country, but has repeatedly failed to achieve them. And this time, Thaksin seems to have more determination and confidence. Moreover, as the former Prime Minister returns to his home country, it is difficult not to associate this opportunity with the new Prime Minister of Thailand, who has finally been born after enduring hardships.
On the evening of Thaksin's return to China, the Prime Minister candidate nominated by the Thai Party, Seth Thaksin, won the support of more than half of the members in the joint session of the upper and lower houses of parliament and was elected as the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Thai King Maha Wajilalongkorn approved the appointment of Saita as the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand on the 23rd. As a result, the three-month stalemate, legal disputes, and negotiated compromises in Thai politics have come to an end.
It can be said that the reason why Saita was able to serve as Prime Minister is partly due to the abandonment of past grievances between the Thai Party and pro military parties, and the coordination of multiple other political parties to form a governing coalition.
This ruling coalition consisting of 11 political parties includes two pro military parties from the caretaker government. It is expected that Seta will coordinate with 11 political parties to form a new coalition government in the coming days. However, uniting these political parties together is not an easy task, especially for the "new face of politics" Seta.
The public opinion believes that Thaksin's return to China at this time may be due to a behind the scenes deal between the Thai party and the pro military party. On the one hand, the Thai party hopes to ensure the safe return of Thaksin Shinawatra and even his early release.
"It is not a coincidence that Thaksin returned to Thailand on the same day as Seta was elected as the next Prime Minister of Thailand," the BBC wrote. "Thaksin arrived a few hours before the vote, indicating his confidence in the outcome. He knows that the deal with his arch rivals is steady. In the end, he will enjoy the protection brought by the Thai party's governance."
Bloomberg reported that although Thaksin was sentenced to 8 years in prison, his sentence may be shortened. "King Maha Wajilalongkorn has the right to pardon any criminal. The new government led by the Thai party is expected to accelerate the royal family's pardon process."
The Associated Press also wrote that it is widely speculated that Thaksin's return to China is due to the possibility of a friendly government reducing his sentence. The caretaker government led by a pro military political party has stated that Thaksin can request royal pardon like other prisoners.
The Guardian also wrote that according to current regulations, he is eligible to apply for royal pardon from the first day of his return to prison. And health reasons may become another reason for them to receive lenient treatment.
On the other hand, the new government led by the Thai Party may assign important positions such as Minister of Defense to pro military parties, and the Thai Party may also abandon some plans to amend the constitution.
"The end of Thaksin's 15 year exile is not an isolated event," the BBC said, as part of a grand political deal. Like a piece of jigsaw puzzle, it is gradually coming to an end to the epic power struggle between the Thai party and the conservatives.
However, Thaksin previously stated that his decision to return to China has nothing to do with taking power for the Thai party, and he is prepared to follow legal procedures. The Thai party also denies the above speculation from the outside world. Next, with the new government taking office, Thaksin's future and destiny may become clearer.
