National —
Thaksin Shinawatra, the jailed former Prime Minister of Thailand, was urgently transferred to Police General Hospital from Bangkok Remand Prison around 15 minutes before 1 AM on Tuesday, August 22nd, following development of his health conditions.
The Corrections Department on Wednesday, August 23rd, issued an official statement informing that Thaksin was taken to a hospital for a medical care after he had difficulty sleeping, chest pain, high blood pressure, low oxygen levels in finger tips and has “life threatening” conditions.
Thaksin, 74, had just arrived in Thailand on Tuesday from his 17-year self-imposed exile and was sentenced to 8 years in prison by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.
After undergoing a medical checkup at the prison, it was found that the ex-premier had over five medical conditions, including an ischemic heart muscle, chronic pulmonary inflammation, high blood pressure, degenerated spine, and abnormal posture.
Duty medical personnel at the Bangkok Remand Prison, where Thaksin is incarcerated, decided to transfer him to a hospital due to his deteriorating conditions and the prison’s lack of equipment, after consulting with medical specialists at Central Correctional Hospital, according to a statement.
The convicted ex-premier is currently staying at Royal Suite Room at Police General Hospital.
TPN media notes that not everyone seems to believe the medical statements, with some claiming Thaksin is receiving preferential treatment and filing official complaints and legal challenges. The Thai Department of Justice has denied these allegations.
Many social media netizens believe Thaksin will be granted a Royal Pardon and released but as of press time had not officially applied for one.
