23rd August, 2023
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been hospitalised following health concerns on his first night in jail after returning from exile.
Thaksin was transferred to Bangkok’s police hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the Corrections Department.
It said the action was to avoid the risk that could threaten his life after developing symptoms of chest tightness, hypertension, and low blood oxygen levels.
The 74-year-old has several diseases that need to be monitored, and the prison ward is not well equipped to treat his condition, the department said in a statement.
Thaksin was Thailand’s premier from 2001 to 2006, after he was overthrown in a military coup.
He was accused of corruption and abuse of power, as well as disrespect for the monarchy.
In 2008, he fled the country into exile to avoid imprisonment.
He returned to the country on Tuesday after 15 years of self-imposed exile.
He was put behind bars upon arrival to serve an eight-year sentence due to several convicted charges.
Xinhua/NAN