A big question mark remains over the fate of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra: Will he continue to stay on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital for medical treatment of unknown ailments? Or will he be sent back to Bangkok Remand Prison?
According to Corrections Department regulations, a convict cannot be treated outside prison for more than 120 days and the deadline for his stay at the hospital ended last Thursday.
On Dec 21, Chonticha Jangrew, a Move Forward Party MP-elect for Pathum Thani, raised a question, addressed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, about Thaksin's "VIP" medical treatment at the hospital.
She cited the case of political activist Aekkachai Hongkangwan who was immediately sent back to prison after being treated outside prison when he reached his 120-day deadline despite the fact he had not fully recovered.
The MP also asked whether the amendment of the Corrections Department's regulation allowing convicts to serve their remaining terms outside the prison was specifically designed to benefit Thaksin.
With the prime minister on holiday, Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong explained that the director-general of the Department of Corrections (DoC) and the director of the Police General Hospital would have to send their recommendations to him whether the former prime minister would be allowed to stay on for treatment or not.
He maintains he has no authority to say yes or no but to acknowledge their recommendations only.
The minister insists the amendment to the regulation to allow convicts to serve their remaining terms outside the prison was not intended to benefit only Thaksin, but to ease the problem of over-crowding in prisons across the country.
He blamed the mess on former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, claiming that all arrangements concerning Thaksin's return to Thailand on Aug 22 took place before Prime Minister Srettha assumed office.
Pol Col Tawee did not go further into the "super deal" between Prayut and the powers-that-be in the Pheu Thai Party which culminated in booting the Move Forward Party from the coalition government and the entry of the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties, both associated with the junta.
Was Pol Col Tawee aware of the DoC's amended regulation, signed by deputy justice permanent secretary Sahakarn Petnarin on Dec 11, allowing well-behaved convicts to serve their remaining terms outside prison?
Because of the timing, critics have valid reason to suspect it was designed to benefit Thaksin to coincide with the expiration of his 120-day deadline.
Two deputy prime ministers, Phumtham Wechayachai and Somsak Thepsutin, came forward in defence of Thaksin. Both claimed the amended regulation was not meant exclusively for the former prime minister and Mr Phumtham accused Thaksin's opponents of trying to politicise the issue.
Mr Somsak, meanwhile, warned Thaksin's opponents they could be sued for disclosing the former prime minister's health condition, saying that it would amount to a violation of his privacy.
In the meantime, members of the House police affairs committee have threatened to go to the hospital to find out if Thaksin is still on the 14th floor.
Thaksin's treatment outside the prison since day one of his return from self-imposed exile has turned messy despite his no doubt comfortable stay at the hospital.
Asst Prof Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, said Thaksin need do nothing but wait for another two more months after which he will be entitled to the suspension of his remaining six-month term. He can relish his new-found freedom at home with his family and grandchildren.
His eight-year jail term for three convictions was commuted to one year by a royal pardon in September.
There have been several influential convicts who were granted privileges while serving their time in prison. But Thaksin appears to be the most privileged of all, having spent just 12 hours at Bangkok Remand Prison after his return home from exile before being rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night on Aug 22.
How this messy affair ends remains to be seen. But the prospect that Thaksin will be released soon by virtue of the amended DoC regulation appears slim.
The easiest way out is for Thaksin himself to come forward and tell the media details of his illness that requires him to stay at hospital.
This will clear public suspicion over his sickness and help ease the burden on supporters who came to his defence. They argue that he is genuinely sick and say critics are unfairly hounding him. But will he have the courage to face the inconvenient truth?
Veera Prateepchaikul is former editor, Bangkok Post.