The Corrections Department has granted permission for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to continue to receive medical treatment at the Police General Hospital after the expiration of the 120-day limit.

Director-General of the Corrections Department, Sahakarn Petchnarin, told the media today that, on Monday, he approved a request from doctors at the Police General Hospital, explaining that Thaksin needs further treatment there, otherwise he may suffer life threatening complications.

This is the first time that he has broken his silence sinceHouse Police Affairs Committee Chairman Chaichana Detdecho challenged him to declare whether Thaksin is still at the hospital or not.  Members of the committee are scheduled to visit the hospital tomorrow, in an attempt to discover the truth.

Sahakarn said that he has not met or visited Thaksin since he was sent from the Corrections Department’s hospital to the Police General Hospital on his first day back in Thailand,after more than 15 years of living in self-imposed exile to avoid incarceration.

He also claimed that there are thousands of prisoners who are now being treated outside prison walls and the department is in the process of considering whether to allow them to continue to be treated outside, after the expiration of 60-day or 120-day limits, depending on the seriousness of their illnesses.

Regarding the regulation allowing prisoners to serve their remaining terms outside prison, Sahakarn explained that those who are disabled, over 70 or suffering from serious illnesses who have served one-third of their terms are entitled to serve their remaining time outside the confinement of a prison.