Thailand denies Thaksin held 'pizza party' in prison

Thailand's corrections department has denied reports that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra bought pizza for 6,500 guards and inmates to hold a "party" at the Bangkok prison where he is serving his sentence.

Thailand's Department of Corrections deputy spokesperson Kanokwan Jiewchuaphan said on 17/9 that Thaksin did not buy pizza for guards and inmates to "party" at the Klong Prem Central Prison where he is serving his sentence.

The statement was in response to allegations made by former MP Watchara Phetthong. Phetthong had accused Thaksin of ordering pizza the previous week for a prison party for 6,500 guards and inmates to gain influence within the prison. According to Phetthong, the amount Thaksin spent on the pizza exceeded the daily allowance for inmates.

Jiewchuaphan said there had been a misunderstanding. She explained that "some outsiders" bought pizza on 13/9 for police and guards managing traffic and security on the road in front of the prison. Padej Ringrod, director of Klong Prem Central Prison, confirmed the donated pizza had nothing to do with Thaksin.

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok, June/2024. _Photo: AFP_

The corrections department's deputy spokesperson added that prison directors have the authority to decide whether inmates are allowed to hold parties for fellow inmates by purchasing food, such as for birthdays or the new year.

She emphasized that these events are only occasionally permitted to prevent inmates from using them to gain influence within the prison.

Thaksin is being held at Klong Prem prison in Bangkok after the Thai Supreme Court ruled he had not served his prison sentence according to the law in 2023 and must serve an additional year. Klong Prem is one of Thailand's most secure prisons.

On 15/9, Thaksin was transferred to the prison's medical treatment area "due to his age and chronic health conditions".

As of 17/9, he remained in the infirmary, spending most of his time reading. The Department of Corrections is considering assigning Thaksin to teach languages to other inmates.