December 18, 2024
Bangkok – Rangsiman urged the NACC to reveal all facts about who was involved and how, saying there was no documentation or explanation about Thaksin living on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital. He emphasized that as someone who is paying close attention to the matter, he will continue to monitor the situation.
“All diligent public servants must act with integrity. Anyone with information or evidence regarding this matter can send it to me and I will be happy to take action. Any information useful to the work of the NACC will also be handed over to them,” Rangsiman said .
The PPP deputy leader admitted that the National Anti-Corruption Commission process may take time as they operate within their powers. However, he argued that there was no need to use the full time frame if all the evidence was available.
He believes that if the evidence is complete, the matter can be resolved quickly. Key issues that need to be reviewed include whether Thaksin is truly ill, whether the transfer is legal, whether the 180-day hospital stay is legal, and whether the parole evaluation process meets established standards.
Runciman admitted that although the Pheu Thai party controls the government, the controversy surrounding Thaksin has seriously damaged the government's credibility.
“Thaksin's status as prime minister has eclipsed Paetongtarn. He plays the role of a real leader, making people feel that Paetongtarn has no status. Coupled with the controversy on the 14th floor, the government's credibility has plummeted.
“I think we have to acknowledge that this possible political crisis involves a variety of factors, but a large part of it is caused by Pheu Thai itself,” he concluded.
Thaksin was found guilty of abuse of power and conflict of interest, charges he evaded for 15 years while in self-imposed exile.
In August 2023, he made a dramatic return to Thailand and was sentenced to eight years in prison, a sentence that was reduced to one year by the Thai king days later. Thaksin spent only a few hours in jail before being transferred to a hospital for health reasons, where he stayed for six months before being paroled in February.
The NACC decided on Monday (December 16) to investigate 12 government officials for allegedly allowing Thaksin to stay in the hospital rather than go to jail.
