The opposition party has raised concerns about Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s statements regarding her father Thaksin’s health.
Just two days before his return to Thailand, she assured reporters that he was in good health. Yet, upon his return, he was immediately hospitalized for serious health issues and served his prison term at the Police General Hospital.
During a censure debate on its second day, List-MP Rangsiman Rome from the People’s Party questioned the Prime Minister about these conflicting reports regarding her father’s health.
Mr. Rangsiman directly inquired whether the Prime Minister had misled the public about her father’s health condition.
In response, she urged everyone to trust the doctors’ assessments and await the findings of the ongoing investigation by the Medical Council of Thailand.
Mr. Rangsiman highlighted that just two days prior to Thaksin’s return, the Prime Minister had declared her father fit, stating he underwent biannual medical check-ups.
Thaksin ended his self-exile and returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, where he was sentenced to prison by the Supreme Court for multiple offenses committed during his term as Prime Minister. He received a reduced sentence through royal clemency.
On his first night back, the Department of Corrections admitted him to the Police General Hospital, citing severe health problems.
“You confirmed your father was fit. What caused the big boss to be admitted to Police General Hospital for 180 days (until his parole)? There must be some factor that caused a healthy person to suddenly fall ill,” Mr. Rangsiman told the House of Representatives.
The opposition MP presented a photo of Thaksin smiling and waving at supporters upon his arrival, appearing robust and healthy, and noted a lack of previous medical records indicating illness.
After Thaksin’s hospitalization, officials reported he was suffering from several severe health issues, including heart, lung, and spinal conditions, necessitating advanced medical care.
A week into Thaksin’s hospital stay, Prime Minister Paetongtarn reported to the media after visiting her father that he was applying for a royal pardon, even though he was under considerable stress and exhaustion.
Mr. Rangsiman questioned why the Prime Minister had not disclosed earlier the serious medical diagnoses given by correction officials and expressed concern about her father handling his clemency paperwork despite being critically ill.
According to the opposition MP, if Thaksin was not critically ill at that time, he should have been sent back to prison rather than staying in the hospital.
Mr. Rangsiman pointed out that the Prime Minister did not seem overly concerned about her father’s supposedly grave condition.
On September 19, 2023, Prime Minister Paetongtarn announced that her father had undergone surgery, referring further inquiries to his doctor.
Later, corrections authorities confirmed the surgery but did not provide specifics, which Mr. Rangsiman highlighted, questioning the Prime Minister for more details.
On October 13, 2023, a photo showed Ms. Paetongtarn pushing a hospital bed, purportedly taking her father for medical scans, used as evidence of his serious health issues.
Mr. Rangsiman accused the Prime Minister of possibly participating in a staged act to exaggerate her father’s illness.
He criticized Ms. Paetongtarn for making two international trips between November 2023 and February 2024, despite her father’s critical health condition.
He also noted that Thaksin received royal clemency in February 2024 based on criteria that included age and mobility issues.
After his release, Thaksin was photographed sitting alone at his home, looking well, which contradicted the earlier claims of his critical condition. He even traveled to Chiang Mai province shortly after.
The opposition MP questioned whether the Prime Minister had lied about her father’s health to manipulate the justice system and avoid his imprisonment.
Ms. Paetongtarn reassured the House that the medical team at Police General Hospital provided clear diagnoses of her father’s conditions.
She also mentioned that the Medical Council of Thailand was conducting an inquiry into Thaksin’s treatment and expected to conclude soon, urging everyone to respect the outcome.
