Three doctors faulted over Thaksin’s Police Hospital stay

[misskit]

The Medical Council decided today to suspend the professional licenses of two doctors for providing false medical information about the severity of the medical condition of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to justify his stay in the Police General Hospital, from mid-August 2023 until February 2024.


Thaksin did not spend a day behind bars while serving his prison sentence for corruption.

The council also decided to issue a warning to a third doctor for not meeting professional standards, after he issued a certificate for the transfer of Thaksin from the Corrections Department’s hospital to the Police General Hospital.

The identities of the three doctors have been withheld.

The ruling was adopted by the Medical Council’s board at a meeting today, called to consider the findings of its subcommittee, led by Dr Amorn Leelarasamee, charged with investigating the ethical conduct of the medical personnel involved in the treatment of Thaksin, following widespread suspicion that he was not suffering from life-threatening illnesses as claimed.

The Medical Council was supposed to consider the sub-committee’s findings at its meeting on April 10, but this was postponed until today after the sub-committee received additional information from the two hospitals.

Professor Prasit Watanapa MD, the first vice chairman of the board of the Medical Council, said that the board’s ruling will have to be submitted to the special chairman, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, for consideration.

He explained that, if Somsak agrees with the board’s decision, it will be final.

If the minister vetoes the board’s decision, though, it will be returned to the board for reconsideration.

If the board then upholds the decision by a two-thirds vote, the decision will be final and enforceable.

Dr. Prasit said that, among all the evidence presented to the board by the subcommittee, there was not a single piece of “clear empirical evidence” suggesting that there was a critical situation that justified Thaksin being treated at the Police General Hospital for six months.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Thaksin went to the Criminal Court today, to seek permission to leave the country, but for what reason is unknown.

Also seen at the court were Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
It is not yet known whether permission was granted by the court.

Three doctors faulted over Thaksin’s Police Hospital stay

[misskit]

If doctors are ours, they will be investigated - Police chief

If the two doctors who were suspended by the Medical Council of Thailand over alleged ethical violations, related to the treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are from the Police General Hospital, they could face a disciplinary investigation.


National police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet said he is awaiting official documents regarding the case, as he has, so far, only learned about it from media reports.


He has, however, already instructed the police disciplinary division to prepare for possible action, if official documents are submitted to the Royal Thai Police.


The Council announced yesterday that its ethics committee had voted to suspend two doctors involved in issuing medical certificates for the former prime minister, citing discrepancies between their reports and Thaksin’s actual condition.


The Council did not disclose the names of the doctors, but unconfirmed reports suggest that they are affiliated with the Police General Hospital.


“If the doctors are from the Police Hospital, and if it is confirmed that they committed the offenses, they could face a disciplinary investigation and punishment, because they are police officers,” said the police chief.


He added that they could also face criminal charges, if a formal complaint is filed with the police.


The Medical Council suspended two doctors on Thursday, in connection with Thaksin’s prolonged stay at the Police General Hospital following his return from exile, enabling him to avoid serving even a single day in prison.


Thaksin, 75, returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade abroad. Upon arrival, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power.


His sentence was later reduced to one year by a royal commutation.


He was, though, almost immediately transferred from a Corrections Department detention facility to a VVIP room at the Police General Hospital, on medical grounds.


His six-month stay at the hospital sparked widespread public suspicion of a backroom deal and allegations of preferential treatment.

If doctors are ours, they will be investigated - Police chie

[harrybarracuda]

Oh look, they've found some scapegoats.