The release of a report from the National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) probe into the claim that the Department of Corrections (DoC) gave privileged treatment to inmate-on-parole Thaksin Shinawatra was released on Aug 2. With the former PM officially becoming a freeman on Aug 31, the report is overdue, but late is always better than never.
The NHRC, which launched its investigations in November, now alleges that both the DoC and the Police General Hospital (PGH) helped Thaksin serve all his jail time in the PGH's patient room instead of a prison cell or the DoC's hospital.
DoC rules permit prisoners to get treatment outside for up to 120 days -- inmate Thaksin spent all 181 days serving his time in the patient room on the PGH's 14th floor.
The probe's outcome does not offer any real details or insights, but it does open the door for the justice system to launch a legal investigation and charge medical doctors with dereliction of duty and ethical breaches. The NHRC has forwarded the report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate accused officials.
Make no mistake, Thaksin is not the only prisoner who has been sent to get treatment at state hospitals. The DoC has sent prisoners to get treatment outside, yet inmates are immediately sent back to DoC correction facilities when their condition improves.
But Thaksin's case is everything but usual. Thaksin did not step into a prison cell, nor was he treated or sent to a DoC hospital. It remains in question whether he got his hair buzz cut like other inmates. The DoC has never released such a photo publicly.
Right after getting off the plane, Thaksin spent a few hours at Bangkok Remand Prison before being sent to the PGH on Aug 22. Despite being reported to be in serious health condition, he was put in a patient room on the 14th floor of the PGH. The hospital explained that there were no beds or other rooms available.
"This inmate remains in that patient room for another six months instead of staying at the ICU that befits his medical condition's demand of emergency treatment," said Wasant Paileeklee, an NHRC commissioner, reading the report to media upon its release.
Mr Wasant criticised the DoC and the hospital for withholding useful information. The DoC repeatedly cited the UN's Nelson Mandela Rules, which protect the rights of prisoners, including the withholding of personal information.
Now, the ball is in the NACC's court. It can only be hoped that the agency will not kick the can down the road as it has done with many other political cases in the past. For example, despite an administrative court order, the NACC still refuses to disclose investigation findings into Gen Prawit Wongsuwon's luxury wristwatch saga.
However, the responsibility should not be limited to the NACC. As the hospital's owner, the Royal Thai Police must help clear the air instead of remaining quiet and using defensive rhetoric.
Meanwhile, the Medical Council of Thailand, which in June launched an ethical probe into four medical doctors who signed off on Thaksin's medical records, needs to offer an update about its progress soon and then reveal a satisfactory outcome.
The issue is not about paroled inmate Thaksin. It is about officials facing justice if they are found in the wrong. Doing nothing means hospital wards in Thailand might become de facto prison cells for powerful inmates.