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Former Thai PM, Thaksin Shinawatra, spent his first night in jail in hospital. Photo/CNBC
BANGKOK – Billionaire and former leader of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, was taken to hospital on his first night in prison after returning from exile.
The founder of Thailand’s populist and influential Pheu Thai Party was transferred to a police hospital overnight, 15 hours after returning from 15 years of exile abroad to avoid jail. Thaksin returned to Thailand just as his political ally was elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote.
Thailand’s Department of Corrections said Thaksin, 74, was transferred in the early hours of Wednesday after he could not sleep and developed chest tightness and high blood pressure.
“Doctors agreed that in order to prevent serious risk to his life, he was transferred to a police hospital,” he said as quoted by Reuters, Wednesday (23/8/2023).
Soponrat Singhajaru, a senior doctor, said Thaksin’s condition had improved since he was admitted. Representatives for Thaksin declined to comment.
Thaksin, a prime minister who was hugely popular with voters for his pro-poor policies, was ousted in a 2006 military coup and exiled two years later when he was sentenced to prison in absentia for corruption and abuse of power.
His hospitalization is the latest in Thailand’s political turmoil of recent months, in which the progressive Move Forward party won elections last May ended in opposition, and populist heavyweight Pheu Thai, twice ousted by the military, agreed to form government with a party backed by the army.
Thaksin returned on a private jet to entertain the masses on Tuesday before being taken to court and then jailed, in dramatic scenes that stole the spotlight from fellow tycoon Srettha Thavisin, who was elected prime minister hours later.
The unhindered return of Thailand’s most controversial politician and Srettha’s rise to the top job will add to speculation that Thaksin has struck a deal with his old foes in the military and conservatives for his safe return and, possibly, early release from prison.
