Somchai Khunploem, aka Kamnan Poh, was taken to Chon Buri Hospital soon after being transferred from Bangkok to his home province's provincial prison on Monday.
Somchai Khunploem, aka Kamnan Poh (Photo by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)
The former "godfather of Chon Buri" was moved from the Corrections Department hospital in Bangkok to Chon Buri prison this morning, reports said, after the transfer request by his son, Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem, was approved by the director-general of the department.
A group of local people and close associates gathered in front of the prison on Monday morning in the hope of a glimpse of Somchai, but they were left disappointed. The convicted murderer was taken straight inside the prison upon arrival from Bangkok in a guarded van.
About 12.15pm a Chon Buri Hospital ambulance arrived at the prison and took Somchai to the hospital, because his illness had reportedly deteriorated.
Doctors led him to the eighth floor of the Chalerm Ratchasombat building. Neither reporters nor other members of the public were allowed inside.
Security guards were then deployed around the hospital.
About 12.45pm, another two sons of Kamnan Poh - Witthaya Khunploem, president of the Chon Buri provincial administration organisation (PAO), and Narongchai Khunploem, the mayor of Saensuk Municipality - and a group of local politicians arrived at the hospital and went into the Chalerm Ratchasombat building to visit Somchai.
The prisoner has another son, Ittipol Khunploem, the mayor of Pattaya.