Jailed former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom will be released temporarily so he can have surgery on a herniated disc on Nov 27, according to the Corrections Department.
Department director-general Pol Col Naras Savestanan on Monday revealed Boonsong, who is serving a 42-year-jail term at Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok, has been receiving treatment at the prison's Central Correctional Hospital, but his condition has not improved.
He has paid visits to the Police General Hospital for outpatient treatment several times, but was returned to the prison the same day, Pol Col Naras said.
However, doctors at the Police General Hospital recently recommended surgery for Boonsong.
As such, Boonsong will be taken from Klongprem Prison to undergo the operation at the Police General Hospital on Nov 27, Pol Col Naras said. Officials from the Corrections Department will accompany Boonsong while he is receiving treatment at the hospital.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister ACM Prajin Juntong said Boonsong needed to be sent for treatment at the Police General Hospital because the Central Correctional Hospital does not have the facilities to treat him.
Boonsong has the right to medical attention, ACM Prajin said, adding that Boonsong may end up paralysed without proper treatment.
On Aug 25 last year the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found Boonsong and 16 others guilty in a case involving fake government-to-government (G2G) rice deals.
Boonsong was handed a 42-year prison sentence while his former deputy, Poom Sarapol, was sentenced to 36 years.
