Supreme Court summons 20 witnesses for Thaksin’s prison leave inquiry

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is preparing to issue summons for 20 witnesses as part of an inquiry into the prison leave granted to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

On Friday, the court heard the testimony of the first witness, Manop Chomchuen, the chief of Bangkok Remand Prison. Following this, the court issued orders to summon 20 additional witnesses, including a group of doctors and nurses from the Corrections Department's medical facilities, as well as the prison's daily duty officer, who was responsible for maintaining order during the 4.30pm to 8.30am shift in place of the chief of Bangkok Remand Prison.

Sahakarn Petchnarin, the director-general of the Corrections Department, is also among those summoned. The witness hearings are scheduled to take place on July 4, 8, and 15, at 9am.The inquiry stems from a petition filed by Chanchai Issarasenaruk, a former MP, requesting a review of the legality of how Thaksin’s sentence was enforced.

Although the Court ruled that the petitioner is not a direct victim and thus has no legal standing to request a revocation of the Department of Probation’s decision to grant Thaksin medical leave from prison to stay at the Police General Hospital, it found that the attached evidence raised reasonable doubts.

The Court expressed concern as to whether the enforcement of Thaksin’s sentence was conducted in accordance with the law and with fairness, or if he had received excessive special treatment.

Under Section 6 of the Organic Act on Criminal Procedure for Holders of Political Positions, 2017, the Court has the authority to initiate a fact-finding process when there is reason to doubt the legitimacy of sentence enforcement.

(2025/06/13-00:00)