Under what conditions was Mr. Thaksin detained?

Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra is being held in a room without air conditioning, his health is closely monitored and he is given space to meet with visitors.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand on August 22 after 15 years in exile. He appeared before the Supreme Court and was sentenced to eight years in prison in connection with three cases. He was then taken to Bangkok Remand Prison, located in the Chatuchak district of northern Bangkok, part of the Klong Prem prison complex.

The facility has eight buildings, covering nearly five hectares of the 23.5-hectare Klong Prem complex, holding nearly 4,000 prisoners.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin returned to Thailand on August 22. Photo: AFP

In Thailand, this facility is one of the most well-known prisons, because it is where many famous people are imprisoned, from politicians to international prisoners who resist extradition, including Viktor Bout, known as the Russian "death gunman", who was imprisoned from 2008-2010.

The prison holds defendants who are being tried in the Magistrates' Court, or awaiting trial in the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. Some prisoners are then transferred to Klong Prem Central Prison, about 500 metres away.

Ayuth Sintoppant, director of the Department of Corrections, said on August 22 that doctors examined Thaksin and found that he had problems with his blood pressure, lungs, heart and spine. As is the rule for elderly prisoners with illnesses, Thaksin was placed in a separate room in Block 7, the prison's medical center, where his health will be closely monitored.

Outside Bangkok Remand Prison in the north of the Thai capital. Photo: Bangkok Post

Prison director Nastee Thongplad said all prisoners, including Mr Thaksin, had to have short hair and wear white shirts. Mr Thaksin’s cell had an electric fan but no air conditioning, and a doctor’s office was adjacent.

Mr Ayuth said the prison would ensure Mr Thaksin's security as well as living conditions, food and water. "Mr Thaksin is treated differently from other prisoners because he is old and has health problems. We cannot treat him the same as younger prisoners," said acting Justice Minister Wissanu Kreangam. "We also have to ensure he is safe and does not face danger from other prisoners."

There is speculation that the former prime minister wants to keep his time behind bars as short as possible. He could apply for a royal pardon on his first day in prison. Once submitted, a committee at the Department of Corrections will consider it and then send it to the Ministry of Justice and the prime minister before submitting it to the king.

Sitthi Sutivong, an official from Thailand's Department of Corrections, said the entire pardon application process could be completed in one to two months. If the application is not approved, the inmate would have to wait two years before applying again.

Prisoners who are sick, disabled or elderly. Photo: Bangkok Post

Boonsong Teriyapirom, a former commerce minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, was once held in Bangkok Detention Center. He was sentenced to 48 years in prison for corruption in the government's rice program. After receiving royal pardons and multiple commutations, his sentence was shortened and Teriyapirom is scheduled to be released in 2028.

While it is unclear how long Thaksin will be in prison, it is clear that he will be visited by family members, friends, associates and various organisations. The prison allows visitors between 9am and 3pm, Monday through Friday.

Thai officials said Mr Thaksin would be provided with a suitable space to meet visitors. "He will enjoy certain privileges because the list of visitors could be very long," said acting Justice Minister Wissanu Kreangam.

Duc Trung (According to Thai PBS World, Bangkok Post, Thailand Bail )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/ong-thaksin-bi-giam-trong-dieu-kien-the-nao-4644478.html