Jailed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has undergone orthopedic surgery, his second in as many weeks, prison officials said.
The 74-year-old billionaire, who was ousted as PM in a 2006 coup, returned to Thailand in August after 15 years in exile and was immediately jailed on charges of corruption and abuse of power.
Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital just hours after being jailed, due to his poor health, and last month his daughter said he had undergone surgery, without providing further details.
The Department of Corrections said in a statement Monday evening that earlier in the day Thaksin had undergone five hours of orthopedic surgery.
He is recovering in the intensive care unit, the statement added, without providing further details.
“The Director General of the Department of Corrections has ordered the head of Bangkok Prison to supervise the operation,” the statement added.
The former prime minister’s return coincided with the Pheu Thai party’s return to power — thanks to a controversial deal with pro-military parties — sparking rumors of a secret deal.
A few days later, King Maha Vajiralongkorn cut Thaksin’s sentence from eight years to one year.
Local media reported Thaksin was suffering from chest tightness and high blood pressure, and 10 days ago showed photos of him being moved in bed from the police hospital for CT and MRI examinations. (ab/uh)