Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said yesterday (Oct 2) that he has established a committee to review the petition, and it is anticipated to complete the examination within three days.
Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, confirmed early this week that his client had submitted the petition and maintained that it was a right granted to all inmates serving final sentences, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thaksin, 76, was sent back to prison on Sept 9, 2025, on the order of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, which ruled that the time he spent in the Police General Hospital did not count as part of his incarceration.
The court then ordered the billionaire to serve one year in prison, in line with the commuted term of his original sentence.
Yesterday, former prime minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with her sister, Pintongta Kunakornwong, visited Thaksin at Klong Prem Central Prison. According to Ms Paetongtarn, her father had some neck issues, but he appeared fine overall.
The chief physician of Police General Hospital has been transferred to an inactive post, effective from Oct 1, following a six-month suspension of his medical licence for his role in helping former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra avoid doing prison time.
Police hospital chief transferred
Meanwhile, National police chief Kittharath Punpetch signed the order yesterday transferring Dr Taweesilp Wechawitarn, who also holds the rank of police lieutenant-general, to the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre.
The transfer order noted a resolution passed by the Medical Council of Thailand on May 8, when it voted to suspend Dr Taweesilp’s medical licence for six months, effective from Oct 1.
The council said any violation of the suspension by continuing to practise medicine would constitute an offence under the Medical Profession Act.
The Royal Thai Police subsequently set up a fact-finding committee in July to investigate alleged misconduct involving Pol Lt Gen Taweesilp and another senior physician, Pol Lt Gen Sophonrat Singhajaru. The investigation is still under way.
The two have been accused of helping Thaksin receive privileged treatment in a luxury ward on the 14th floor of the hospital.
The Medical Council concluded that the doctors provided false or misleading medical documents or information regarding Thaksin’s health to facilitate his extended hospital stay.
It suspended Pol Lt Gen Sophonrat’s licence for three months and Pol Lt Gen Taweesilp’s licence for six months, starting Oct 1.
Given the suspension of his medical licence and the pending inquiry, police authorities deemed it inappropriate for Pol Lt Gen Taweesilp to continue in his current role, the order said.
The reassignment would ensure transparency, fairness and prevent potential damage to the force, it added.
Pol Lt Gen Paiboon Chiamanukulkit, a senior physician at Police General Hospital, has been named acting chief physician, effective from Oct 1 to March 31 next year.