Officials announced on Wednesday that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was transferred to the hospital due to high blood pressure and concerns about his heart condition on his first night in prison after returning from voluntary exile. Thaksin’s (74 years old) condition, as a billionaire and founder of the populist Pheu Thai Party, remains unclear. The prison administration stated that Thaksin experienced chest pain and elevated blood pressure and was taken to a police hospital in Bangkok around 2 AM local time.
Thaksin returned to Thailand on Tuesday after 15 years of voluntary exile, stealing the spotlight from his political ally Srettha Thavisin, who was elected Prime Minister in a parliamentary vote later that same day. A parliamentary official confirmed on Wednesday that Srettha’s appointment as Prime Minister received royal endorsement.
The police reported that Thaksin was hospitalized because the prison could not ensure he received appropriate medical care. National Police Deputy Chief Lieutenant General Prachow Wongsuak told Reuters, “The prison assessed the situation and found it lacking in doctors and medical equipment capable of taking care of the patient.” The Supreme Court confirmed on Tuesday that Thaksin will serve eight years in prison after being convicted of abuse of power and conflicts of interest. He received a warm welcome from his supporters upon arriving in Bangkok on his private jet before being taken by police to the Supreme Court and then to prison.
