ACM Prajin, who oversees the Department of Corrections, said the agency reported to him that Boonsong has fallen ill from an intervertebral disc disorder that requires immediate surgery at the Police General Hospital.

“His slipped spinal discs pose a danger. Without proper treatment, he could become partially or completely paralysed,” he said.

Naras Savestanan, director-general of the Department of Corrections, said yesterday that doctors from the Police General Hospital, who regularly examined Boonsong, have suggested an operation to treat his disorder.

“His condition is rather severe. The hospital run by the Department of Corrections is not equipped well enough to deal with his case, so Boonsong needs to get his operation at the Police General Hospital,” Naras said.

He also said that Boonsong had underdone physical therapy for a long time to treat this problem related to spinal discs. However, a check with the hospital showed no appointment for Boonsong’s operation.

According to a source, Boonsong has undergone regular examinations at the hospital.

A recent X-ray examination discovered degradation in his cervical bones, requiring corrective surgery.

Boonsong, 58, was sentenced by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in August last year to 42 years’ in prison for his involvement in irregularities, in which state-owned rice was supposed to be sold to China in a government-to-government deal.

The rice was never exported to China but ended up in the hands of a private company with connections to government figures.

The supposed rice sale to China stemmed from the previous government’s rice-pledging scheme, in which rice was bought from farmers at rates well above the market price.

Boonsong’s deputy minister Poom Sarapol and senior officials in the Commerce Ministry are also serving lengthy |jail terms in the same corruption |case.

Yingluck Shinawatra, who headed that government, fled the country just days before the court was scheduled to read its verdict in a related case against her that also stemmed from the corruption-plagued populist project.

In September last year, the court sentenced former prime minister Yingluck in absentia to five years in jail for negligence that led to the corruption.

In his testimony, Panthongtae told the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases that the Bt10-million cheque given to him by property group Krissada Mahanakorn was part of an investment in a joint business venture.

The cheque handed to Panthongtae was part of the Bt10.4-billion loan the company’s affiliates had dishonestly obtained from the state-run Krungthai Bank in 2003, when the defendant’s father Thaksin was serving as prime minister. The property firm’s affiliates had managed to secure the loans despite their poor credit rating.

Most of the bank’s executives and senior members of the property group, including its boss Vichai Krissadathanont, were sentenced to prison in 2015. In September this year, the 79-year-old businessman and five others were indicted for alleged money laundering in connection with the loan.

Meanwhile, Panthongtae pleaded not guilty to the money-laundering charge yesterday and also asked for permission to submit his testimony in writing. The court accepted his request and set December 14 as the deadline for submission.

The court has also scheduled four meetings with the prosecution and defence in January, February, March and April for both sides to crosscheck their witnesses and evidence. The court has also ordered both sides to meet on June 25 next year to discuss the scheduling of testimonies by their witnesses.

The court will decide on January 22 whether the cases against Panthongtae, Vichai and others should be merged as requested by the public prosecutors.

Panthongtae’s mother, Khunying Pojaman Na Pombejr, and his younger sisters Pinthongta Kunakornwong and Paethongtarn accompanied him to court yesterday for moral support.

Many politicians from Pheu Thai Party, who are close to the Shinawatras and loyal to Thaksin, were also present to back Panthongtae. They included the party’s leader, Wirote Pao-in, its secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, and former foreign minister Noppadon Patama.

It was the first time FWP had reached out to Bangkokians on the capital’s streets since the creation of the party. Thanathorn said he chose to kick off the campaign in Bangkok’s Bangrak and Chinatown districts because it was where his family came from originally.

“It’s nice to start this [campaign] where I grew up. We have been very warmly welcomed around here,” he said. “Those who didn’t already know about [the party] got to know us today. And those who already knew us, showered us with their support. The feedback has been great.”

The party members marched along the 1.3-kilometre route along Yaowarat Road, which hosts the largest Chinese community in Bangkok, to both introduce the party and encourage the passers-by as well as the local merchants to apply for membership of the party.

Although political activities have been restricted by the ruling junta, the party on Monday said that it had been granted permission by the Election Commission to enrol new members.

FWP leader Thanathorn himself walked into different stores along the street, handing out leaflets bearing information about membership applications and introducing FWP as “a party of the new generation volunteering to drive new politics”.

A number of people on Monday greeted the group warmly. Some asked to take a photo with Thanathorn. Although it is widely believed that FWP’s main supporters are the younger generation, Thanathorn on Monday met mostly with middle-aged female supporters.

Some of the local merchants on Monday admitted that they did not know much about the parties but welcomed the introduction of the new party on Monday. Others claimed to be a fan and said they had been following the party’s news closely.

At one point a woman, likely in her 50s, appeared sceptical and asked Thanathorn directly how he would approach corruption and whether he would really be able to prevent future coups.

Thanathorn responded that law enforcement agencies would be the instruments to tackle corruption and that he would try to prevent future coups before agreeing to take a selfie with the woman. The woman declined to give her name to The Nation.

During the march on Monday, a man eagerly came out of a gold shop where he was shopping and loudly celebrated FWP, saying, “Go, Go FWP!”

Later identifying himself as Bunchong Kunsupsak, he said he was rooting for FWP, hoping the party could bring new hope to Thai politics.

“I’m tired of the old politics,” the 66-year-old said.

The party’s march concluded at a local traditional, small Chinese coffee shop where Thanathorn’s mother, Somporn Juangroongruangkit, talked to the press.

She said Thanathorn had always been keen about politics and social work. However, in the past 16 years, he had worked in the family business and only decided to join politics this year when he was 39, she said.

The mother said she disagreed with the idea at first. However, as her son had already set his mind on this path, she had to support him and wished him success, Somporn said.

“I can guarantee that this man is not in politics for his own gain. He just wants to help society,” Thanathorn’s mother said. “I asked him to choose between [the family business] and Thailand and he answered without hesitation that he chose Thailand. So, I understand his determination.”