Two prison minders for Saxena

In a special cell at the prison hospital, the two unidentified inmates are around during the day and sleep by Saxena's side at night, prison commander Sophon Thitithammaphruek revealed.

"One of them is a medical doctor and the other a man with a large build, to help Saxena with movement," said Sophon, who cited the prison doctor's diagnosis of Saxena.

"His left arm and both legs have been weak since a stroke on the right side of his brain many years ago," he explained.

He said Saxena appeared fresh and said to him he did not want to be reassigned elsewhere.

The prison was assigning a neurologist to take care of Saxena, said the commander, who earlier played down press speculation that the high-profile inmate enjoyed privileges over other prisoners.

"He has received no privileges over anyone else. He lives in a room three metres by three metres with a ceiling fan, which is a room previously used as a quarantine cell for inmates with highly-infectious diseases," he said.

Prison meals are inspected thoroughly for Saxena - but the rations were no different from other prisoners - except for soft foods he requires specifically.

"If he wants to eat other food, he can buy them at prison shops at the daily limit of no more than Bt200," he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said he would provide extra security, possibly by Department of Special Investigation agents, but he was sure that existing security measures would guarantee there would Saxena would not be "silenced".