Thailand’s most famous prisoner is currently recovering in hospital ICU after orthopedic surgery.
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra had orthopedic surgery and is now in recovery at the Police Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit, according to an announcement by the Department of Corrections.
Thaksin has been in the custody of Bangkok Remand Prison since August 22 of this year. This marked his return to Thailand after being on the run for 15 years to face multiple charges. When he first entered prison, he was quickly transferred to the Police Hospital for medical treatment due to “various health problems”.
In response to his recent surgery, the Department of Corrections director-general, Sahakarn Phetnarin, has directed the superintendent of Bangkok Remand Prison to oversee the situation and make sure that Thaksin receives appropriate care.
The Department of Corrections also highlighted that it’s not uncommon for detainees to be sent outside the prison for medical treatment. In some cases, detainees need to travel back and forth between the prison and the hospital, while others require extended stays due to their medical conditions.
From October 1 to the present day, there have been 149 instances of detainees receiving medical treatment outside the prison. Among them, 115 cases exceeded 30 days, 30 cases exceeded 60 days, and 4 cases went beyond 120 days.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand and his incarceration have not been without controversy. An anti-Thaksin movement is demanding an investigation to see whether Thaksin is actually sick. Some people, including political foes, Thai Phakdee Party members, say they are unconvinced that prisoner Thaksin Shinawatra is still at the Police Hospital, let alone having any surgery.
