Metropolis Desk-
After returning to Thailand after around 15 years in exile and being imprisoned on several criminal accusations, the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was transported to a hospital overnight.
The 74-year-old Thaksin was brought to Bangkok’s police hospital early on Wednesday due to worries over his blood pressure and low blood oxygen levels, according to a statement from the Corrections Department.
A spokesman for the Corrections Department, Sitthi Sutivong, stated in a statement that “he has several diseases that need to be treated, in particular heart diseases, and the prison hospital does not have the right equipment.”
The doctor advised sending him to the Police hospital to avoid any risks that would put his life in peril.
As his Pheu Thai party prepared to establish a new government with several political groups, including those with military ties, Thaksin, a millionaire who served as prime minister until he was overthrown in a coup in 2006, arrived in Bangkok on a private jet on Tuesday morning.
Srettha Thavisin, the party’s choice as prime minister, secured parliamentary backing on Tuesday evening and royal endorsement on Wednesday.
After being found guilty of power abuse and conflict of interest not long after returning home, the Supreme Court sentenced Thaksin to eight years in prison.
Srettha’s promotion to the top position had increased rumors that Thaksin, who is still very powerful despite living in exile for many years, had made a deal with his adversaries in the military and political establishment in exchange for his safe return and, maybe, an early release from prison.
There was no agreement, according to Pheu Thai and Thaksin. Previously, a minister in the departing administration said that Thaksin’s advanced age might make him eligible for a royal pardon and better care.
The progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which gained the most seats in the election on its pledges of dramatic reform, including royal defamation laws, is excluded from the new government led by Pheu Thai.
Pita Limjaroenrat, the group’s leader, was prevented from becoming prime minister, which needed the backing of the upper chamber, which is headed by the military.
Source- Al-Jazeera
