Thaksin faces moment of truth

Court begins inquiry into controversial stay at the Police General Hospital, write Mongkol Bangprapa and Aekarach Sattaburuth

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The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will today begin an inquiry into former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s 181-day hospital stay at the Police General Hospital (PGH).

Although the court has granted Thaksin a one-month extension to submit his explanation, political analysts believe the inquiry could rock the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

The court is to determine whether or not the jail sentence it handed to Thaksin, who is said to be the de facto leader of the party, was genuinely enforced by the Department of Corrections (DoC).

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said he does not expect a court ruling today.

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT)'s affirmation of its resolution against three doctors may lead to further investigation, Mr Stithorn noted.

Despite Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin failing to endorse the MCT’s decision, the MCT yesterday stood by its move to suspend the licences of two doctors involved in the controversial transfer of Thaksin to the premium ward at the PGH, where he stayed for six months before being released on parole.

Thaksin, in effect, did not spend a single night in prison after being sentenced by the court.