Bangkok: The Supreme Court is set to scrutinize the case involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, summoning four groups of executives from the Department of Corrections to deliberate on the legality of his external treatment, the extension of his treatment period, and the suspension of his sentence.
According to Thai News Agency, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has arranged the fourth hearing concerning Thaksin's imprisonment. Thaksin, who is currently receiving treatment on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital, is the defendant in a case led by the public prosecutor and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
The court plans to examine a total of six witnesses. This morning, four witnesses were interrogated: Mr. Sahakarn Petcharin, Director-General of the Department of Corrections; Mr. Sitthi Sutivong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Corrections and Department Spokesperson; Mr. Chan Wachiradej, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Corrections; and Mr. Natee Thongplad, former commander of the Bangkok Special Prison. Witnesses 1 and 4 required approximately one hour each for examination, while witnesses 2 and 3 required about thirty minutes each.
The investigation is centered on whether Thaksin's transfer for external medical treatment aligns with the 2017 Corrections Act and ministerial regulations. It also examines the enforcement of his sentence and the possibility of a suspended sentence. This includes comparing Thaksin's case with the treatment of other prisoners in the same age group and assessing the justification for extending his treatment period at the Police General Hospital for varying durations.
During the proceedings, the court inquired about the monitoring of Thaksin's condition by those with authority to approve the hospital stay extension, and whether it was feasible for him to receive treatment at the prison hospital. The investigation also addressed the initial diagnosis that deemed Thaksin critically ill and in need of surgery, a procedure he ultimately declined in favor of medication.
Variations in the testimonies of the current and former commanders of the Bangkok Special Prison were highlighted, particularly concerning the protocol for sending patients for external treatment. The question arose whether patients must first visit the Correctional Institution Hospital or can be directly transferred to an external network hospital.
The court imposed strict regulations during this hearing, prohibiting media from recording testimony and restricting the use of paper and pens, although they were permitted to attend. In the afternoon, two additional witnesses, comprising doctors from the prison hospital, are scheduled for examination.