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.
