Built in 1890, Bangkok Remand Prison is now poised to receive Thailand’s best-known and most popular convict – Thaksin Shinawatra.

Former prime minister Thaksin, now 74, has lived in self-imposed exile since 2008, avoiding accumulated jail sentences amounting to 10 years behind bars. The Supreme Court has sentenced him in absentia to two years in jail for malfeasance in the government’s corruption-plagued lottery, three years for abuse of power in authorizing loans to the Import-Export Bank of Thailand, and five years for using nominees to disguise his controlling stake in Shin Corporation, which benefited from state contracts and tax cuts under his government.

His scheduled return to the country on August 10 has thus sparked speculation that he may already have secured a deal for VIP treatment behind bars.

Will he get 5-star luxury?

Authorities insist Thaksin will not get preferential treatment and will be treated just like any other inmate under the law. The Bangkok Remand Prison would be his logical place of detention as it accepts male inmates from all parts of Bangkok, except Thon Buri and Min Buri, provided their jail sentences are no longer than 15 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who formerly worked under Thaksin and is the current government’s legal advisor, said his ex-boss will not be favored with VIP status in prison.

“However, he may be treated differently to other inmates since he is old and has health problems. He cannot be treated like younger adult inmates. Besides, we need to ensure his safety inside prison. The risks he faces are different from other convicts,” he said. “He will also have to be provided with certain privileges, as his visitors’ list is likely to be very long.”

Wissanu said from the first day of imprisonment Thaksin has the right to seek a royal pardon, as per law.

The Corrections Department said it may need to install more CCTV cameras for Thaksin and check everything he eats closely.

Though the former premier has a huge base of support in the country, he also inspires hatred among many people – some of whom may be serving terms at the very same prison.

Thaksin faces 12 years in prison upon his return from exile

What he can expect behind bars

Bangkok Remand Prison is located in northern Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Its inner courtyard occupies 28 rai (44,800 square meters) within the 148-rai compound of Klong Prem Prison.

It was originally built near the Grand Palace over a century ago under the order of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The monarch wanted a modern correctional facility in line with his plans to modernize the nation. For this, King Rama V funded the purchase of a huge plot of land on Mahachai Road and dispatched a senior official to Singapore to study new prisons.

The facility was officially opened in February 1890 under the official name of Kuk Kong Mahantatos (Major Penalty Division’s Prison), though locals just called it Kuk Mai, or New Prison.

This new detention facility was far larger than other prisons in Thailand and was also the first in the country to provide vocational training to inmates, in line with modern ideas of rehabilitation.

The New Prison was renamed and relocated several times over the years, before settling at its current location in Chatuchak as the Bangkok Remand Prison from 1972.

Mystery zone

Bangkok Remand Prison is often called a “mystery zone,” as few people besides suspects, convicts and guards ever see what goes on inside.

Chuwit Kamolvisit, the former massage parlor tycoon turned whistleblower, was once an inmate at the prison and says VIP convicts enjoy special treatment there.

“They have separate air-conditioned bedrooms. They can order food and use personal guards. If they fall ill, they can be moved to a hospital and take over an entire floor,” Chuwit said.

Authorities deny this, insisting nobody gets special treatment at Bangkok Remand Prison and spaces are always shared.

“Of course, the Correctional Department won’t say inmates have the option of VIP treatment,” Chuwit pointed out.

By Thai PBS World