Two doctors have been suspended from medical service by the Thai Medical Council for allegedly violating medical ethics in the case of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra receiving treatment after his return from exile.
On the 8th, the Thai Medical Council stated that its ethics committee voted to suspend the medical service of the two doctors involved in issuing a medical certificate for the former Prime Minister, arguing that their report did not match Thaksin's actual health condition.
Wattana Pha, Vice Chairman of the Thai Medical Council, said, “This is a consequence of professional misconduct.”
He indicated that a third doctor involved in the case had a lighter “consequence” and would receive a warning letter.
He remarked, “This is a very severe punishment for any doctor.”
The final decision will be submitted to the Minister of Health.
75-year-old Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade abroad and was immediately sentenced to 8 years in prison for corruption and abuse of power. However, due to health reasons, he was almost immediately transferred from the detention center to a private ward at the Bangkok Police General Hospital, without spending a night in a cell. His transfer and return coincided with the formation of a new government by his affiliated Pheu Thai Party.
Last week, the Thai Supreme Court announced it would investigate whether Thaksin's sentence was being properly executed and has summoned hospital and prison officials for questioning.