This picture taken on March 25, 2019, shows exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra posing for a portrait after being interviewed by Agence France-presse in Hong Kong. Thaksin said Thai the election was ‘rigged’ and marred by ‘irregularities’. (Photo by ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
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.
He added, however, that there is no special area for Thaksin inthe prison’s hospital, if he needs treatment, just an appropriate room with additional security.
Thaksin has confirmed that he will return to Thailand this Tuesday, after living in exile abroad since the coup that removed him from office. His private jet will land at Don Mueang airport at about 9am and he is expected to be met by officials and his family members.
Thaksin faces ten years in prison on three convictions: two years for the two- and three-digit lottery project, three years for the 4 billion baht loan extended by the Thai Exim Bank to Myanmar government, for the purchase of equipment from his Shin Satellite company, and five years for allowing nominees to hold his shares in Shin Corp, owned by his family. The statute of limitations has already expired on his two-year sentence for the Ratchadapisek land deal conviction.
He is entitled to apply for Royal pardon.
