A press conference will be held at Pheu Thai headquarters on Tuesday about the latest condition of convicted Thaksin Shinawatra, who is receiving medical treatment at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok.
This is according to Thaksin’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn, who was speaking after visiting her father for 40 minutes in hospital.
Today (Monday) is the first day that the Corrections Department has allowed visitor access for Thaksin, who has been convicted on multiple corruption charges and is serving eight years in prison.
He was sent to Bangkok Remand Prison to serve the sentence on August 22nd, but was rushed from the Corrections Hospital to the police hospital during the night, reportedly suffering a serious illness.
Many believe that Thaksin, despite being a convict, is receiving VIP treatment from the Corrections Department and other authorities concerned.
He is staying on the 14th floor of the hospital, which is normally reserved for high-ranking police only.
In response to public criticism, the Corrections department explained that Thaksin is being treated for several ailments, including high blood pressure (hypertension), myocardial ischemia, a degenerative spine, pulmonary fibrosis and heart disease, which require special monitoring.
They claim that the Corrections Department’s hospital is not adequately equipped to cope with heart disease, which is life-threatening, so it was decided to have him transferred immediately.
Paetongtarn visited Thaksin with a lawyer. She arrived at the hospital at about 1pm and left about 40 minutes later.
Ten people are now allowed to visit Thaksin each day for 40 minutes each.
