Thaksin completes quarantine at Bangkok prison, looking forward to family visit on Sept 15

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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has completed his five-day disease quarantine.

PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK – Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra completed his five-day disease quarantine at Klong Prem Central Prison on Sept 14 and is looking forward to a visit from his relatives on Sept 15, a spokesman for Thailand’s Corrections Department said.

Police Lieutenant-Colonel Shane Kanchanapaj, deputy director-general and spokesman for the department, said on Sept 14 that Thaksin, 76, completed his quarantine after he was

imprisoned at the order of the Supreme Court

He added that Thaksin’s overall health remained good, with his blood pressure returning to normal.

After the quarantine, it will be up to the prison chief to decide which zone Thaksin will be assigned to.

Lt-Col Shane noted that it was highly likely Thaksin would be placed in the zone for inmates aged 65 and over.

He said Thaksin was eager to “see his family and receive moral support to help him spend his days inside the prison”.

He added that some relatives had expressed their intention to visit. Thaksin will be allowed to talk to them in a visiting room, separated by a transparent screen.

A close-contact visit, where he can sit near family members without a barrier, has not been planned yet, Lt-Col Shane said.

The visit on Sept 15 will be conducted under normal procedures granted to all inmates.

Lt-Col Shane added that the prison would seek assistance from the police to maintain order in case red-shirt supporters gather outside the prison to show solidarity with Thaksin. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK