Thailand’s Thaksin detained under normal conditions with no special privileges: lawyer

Thaksin has been placed in an area used for quarantine and elderly inmates, and remains under standard security measures, the lawyer says

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Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok on September 9. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa

Published: 10:35pm, 16 Sep 2025Updated: 1:04am, 17 Sep 2025

Thaksin Shinawatra is being held under the same conditions as other inmates and has not received any special privileges during his first week back in prison, his lawyer has said, amid speculation over whether Thailand’s former prime minister may request to serve his sentence outside jail.

Attorney Winyat Chartmontree on Monday said Thaksin’s family had not sought any special treatment and that his client had only requested rights afforded to other inmates.

“People can say what they like, but they should be accountable for their words,” Winyat said as quoted by The Nation Thailand.

Winyat confirmed that Thaksin, who is 76 and suffers from high blood pressure and age-related stress, had been placed in an area of the prison adjacent to the Corrections Hospital used for quarantine and elderly inmates.

He added that the former leader was making efforts to manage his health and remained under standard security measures.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra (right) walks out with her mother Potjaman Na Pombejra (centre) and sister Pintongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong (third from left) after visiting her father, Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok on Monday. Photo: AFP

The lawyer emphasised that Thaksin’s family had not asked for detention outside prison – a legal provision allowing certain inmates to serve terms at home or in hospital under supervision.

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