BANGKOK, THAILAND – Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra received another prison visit from his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as his legal team prepared action against what they described as defamatory false information.
40th family visit to Klong Prem
According to people close to the family, the meeting at Klong Prem Central Prison on 12 February marked Paetongtarn’s 40th visit since Thaksin had been incarcerated about five months earlier. She arrived with her husband Pitaka Suksawat and lawyer Winyat Chatmontree.
Talks on politics and election outcome
After the visit, Paetongtarn said she had mainly discussed the political situation in the country and the result of the most recent election with her father. She reported that Thaksin remained in good health and good spirits and that he had sung “Let It Be” by the Beatles for her, which she saw as reflecting his attitude of letting certain things take their course.
Lawyer notes improving health and regular consultations
Lawyer Winyat Chatmontree stated that the former leader’s health appeared to be improving and that he was visibly taking care of himself in prison. In addition to everyday legal discussions, there were regular consultations in which the inmate informed his defence counsel about his assessments of the current situation.
Planned legal steps over “grey capital” claims
Winyat said that Thaksin had specifically instructed him to take legal action against individuals spreading false information on the issue of “grey capital”, which he regarded as defamatory and particularly damaging during the election campaign. With regard to possible steps such as a suspension of sentence or a petition for a royal pardon, the lawyer explained that there were currently no new developments and that Thaksin was not pushing for them, wanting instead all legal procedures to be followed correctly and in full.