Former national police commissioner Sereepisuth Temeeyaves revealed that in his meetings with ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra who was still serving his jail term at the Police General Hospital Thaksin appeared in casual clothing and showed no signs of the severe ailments cited to avoid prison.
In an interview with Amarin TV, Sereepisuth claimed there were no medical staff or others on the 14th floor of the police hospital, except for the maid who served him coffee.
He said that Thaksin invited him to the hospital to ask him to withdraw his national anti-graft commission (NACC) complaint against then prime minister Srettha Thavisin.
“On the first occasion, I went to meet Thaksin with a deputy leader of the Seri Ruamthai party. We parked our car in the basement before being met by Thaksin’s close aide,” he said.
They took an elevator to the 13th floor, then walked up to the 14th floor, where they were guided to a living room.
A maid served them coffee and fruit and Thaksin, then walked in to greet them.
“Thaksin showed no signs of illness. Our conversation focused on politics and the past. Then Thaksin asked me to withdraw my petition to the NACC against Srettha,” Sereepisuth said.
The first meeting lasted for about half an hour. The second meeting took place near a window facing the Henri Dunant Sports Club.
On that day, Thaksin mentioned that he did not want to engage in anything with the Wongsuwan family.
“I never believed that Thaksin was ill. When I met him on the 14th floor, he was not wearing a patient’s gown and was not attached to any medical equipment—no IV line, no neck support, like the one he wore when he left the hospital,” he said.
Moreover, there was not a single Corrections Department official on the floor, which is against the regulations for a convicted prisoner when they are receiving medical treatment.
“There were no doctors or nurses coming to check on Thaksin’s condition either. I wonder if the rooms on the 14th floor were set up just to receive guests. In reality, Thaksin might as well have been staying at his residence,” he said.
Sereepisuth believed he was invited to meet Thaksin due to their five-decade-long relationship and his history of helping Thaksin.
Although his name was not on the list of approved visitors, he was allowed entry because Thaksin needed his help, he claimed.
Sereepisuth, leader of the Thai Liberal Party, severed ties with Thaksin in August last year and withdrew from the Pheu Thai-led coalition government.
He said that his withdrawal is because his party was not allocated any post in Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government, despite his loyalty to her father, Thaksin.
