The Nation reported that Colonel Watanyu Witthaypalothai, a special police officer, had spent many years as a loyal bodyguard for the Shinawatra family. He was also referred to by the Thai media as the "nine-kill policeman".
Graduated from the Royal Thai Police Academy in 1996, Mr. Watanyu Witthaypalothai's career has had many ups and downs following the development of the famous Shinawatra family.
Mr. Watanyu Witthaypalothai was appointed to the bodyguard force under both former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
When the Thaksin brothers were ousted by coups in 2006 and 2014, Watanyu Witthaypalothai's name was almost forgotten, and he was even fired in 2019, before being reinstated in 2021.
Mr. Watanyu (center) accompanied new Prime Minister Srettha (right) to meet his predecessor Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Thai government building on August 24. Photo: Reuters
Specifically, after the 2006 coup, Mr. Watanyu was transferred by the national police chief to a police station in Thailand's southernmost province of Yala. A year later, he was returned to Bangkok after the People's Power Party (inherited from Mr. Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party) won the 2007 general election.
In 2011, Ms. Yingluck became prime minister and Mr. Watanyu was appointed to her bodyguard unit on the first day she entered government headquarters.
In 2014, Ms. Yingluck was overthrown in a coup, Mr. Watanyu disappeared from public view but is believed to have maintained close ties with the Shinawatra family, even accused of assisting Ms. Yingluck in secretly leaving the country in 2017.
Mr. Watanyu denied the allegations but was still investigated and then fired in 2019. He appealed and was reinstated in 2021.
Watanyu Witthaypalothai "reappeared" earlier this week as a member of the security forces waiting for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok on August 22, when the billionaire returned to Thailand after 15 years of exile.
Then on August 24, Mr. Watanyu was seen escorting new Prime Minister Srettha to a meeting with his predecessor Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Thai government building.
This confirms that Mr. Watanyu became a bodyguard for the prime minister, who is a member of the Pheu Thai party.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin's health is "worrying"
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's health condition has not improved since he was transferred to the Thai Police General Hospital in the early morning of August 23.
Hospital director Sophonrat Singhajaru said results of an echocardiogram and lung tests showed Mr Thaksin's condition remained "worrying".
The Bangkok Post said Mr. Thaksin, 74 years old, was hospitalized on his first night in prison due to chest pain, high blood pressure, low blood oxygen levels and difficulty sleeping.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's health "remains worrying". Photo: Reuters
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