On December 18, 2024, Thailand’s Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a petition accusing the Justice Minister, the Director-General of the Department of Corrections, and the Warden of Bangkok Remand Prison of providing preferential treatment to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by allowing him to stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital.
The Court ruled that the petition lacked substantial evidence and clear proof to support claims that the respondents violated laws or abused their authority. Furthermore, the allegations did not demonstrate actions aimed at undermining the democratic regime with the monarchy as head of state, as defined under Article 49 of the Constitution.
The case was initiated by petitioner Kongdecha Chairat, who argued that the respondents acted improperly by approving Thaksin’s transfer for medical treatment without sufficient evidence of serious illness, as required under Section 246 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He also claimed that the preferential treatment violated constitutional principles of equality under Article 27 and failed to uphold strict legal compliance per Article 53.
The Attorney General had earlier dismissed the petition, prompting the petitioner to seek direct intervention from the Constitutional Court. However, the Court found no grounds for further investigation or adjudication, effectively ending the case.