
Hospitals probed for fake health certificates
He said two or three private hospitals were under investigation for allegedly selling fake certificates without conducting proper health examinations.
'We are investigating the facts, including the procedures and methods used,' he said on Tuesday. 'If found guilty, the hospitals involved will have their licences revoked, along with the medical licences of the doctors who signed the certificates.'
Mr Chaichana stressed that issuing false medical certificates constitutes a serious breach of medical ethics.
'These hospitals certified migrant workers without blood tests or X-rays. If such individuals bring infectious diseases into the country, it endangers both the nation and the Thai people,' he warned.
Recruitment companies conducting mobile health checks have also been instructed to submit to close monitoring by the Department of Disease Control and local hospitals.
'If wrongdoing is confirmed with clear evidence, I will personally oversee the enforcement,' he said. 'This cannot be left unresolved.'

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Bangkok Post
11 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Hospitals probed for fake health certificates
Some private hospitals in Thailand have been accused of issuing fake health certificates to migrant workers, according to Deputy Public Health Minister Chaichana Dechdecho. He said two or three private hospitals were under investigation for allegedly selling fake certificates without conducting proper health examinations. 'We are investigating the facts, including the procedures and methods used,' he said on Tuesday. 'If found guilty, the hospitals involved will have their licences revoked, along with the medical licences of the doctors who signed the certificates.' Mr Chaichana stressed that issuing false medical certificates constitutes a serious breach of medical ethics. 'These hospitals certified migrant workers without blood tests or X-rays. If such individuals bring infectious diseases into the country, it endangers both the nation and the Thai people,' he warned. Recruitment companies conducting mobile health checks have also been instructed to submit to close monitoring by the Department of Disease Control and local hospitals. 'If wrongdoing is confirmed with clear evidence, I will personally oversee the enforcement,' he said. 'This cannot be left unresolved.'

Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
FDA open to setting limits on beta-agonist use
The Food and Drug Administration has yet to set a safety threshold for beta-agonist use, as the chemical remains prohibited in livestock production. However, the FDA said it would consider setting safety limits if requested by the Department of Livestock Development. Dr Surachoke Tangwiwat, secretary-general of the FDA, said the Department of Livestock Development currently enforces a regulation banning the import of meat contaminated with beta-agonists. As a result, the FDA sees no immediate need to determine a safety dosage for imported meat, he says. "To my knowledge, the livestock department continues to uphold the regulation. "If there are any changes, they must contact the FDA to initiate the process of setting a new safety limit. So far, we have not received any such request," he said. Beta-agonists are known to have adverse health effects, including increased heart rate. They pose risks to individuals with heart conditions, as the chemical can trigger symptoms. The American Meat Science Association says beta-agonists are deemed safe by the US FDA as feed additives in livestock, primarily cattle and swine, to enhance growth and improve feed efficiency. Analysts recently predicted a surge of US meat entering the Thai market, following a trade agreement between Thailand and the US, initiated during the Trump administration's trade war. Somchuan Rattanamungklanon, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, however, said the department was still strictly against the use of beta-agonists in the food production chain. He said public health must be the government's top priority.

Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Teens learn to control boozing
Alcohol consumption among Thai teens is stabilising, mirroring a global trend among youth worldwide. Experts attribute this shift to evolving social values and the tendency for young people to live with their parents longer, which often results in more controlled environments. In a survey of teens last month, 72.3% of respondents said they support alcohol-free activities as alternatives during the Buddhist Lent period, reflecting growing awareness of the importance of healthy, alcohol-free lifestyles. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), in collaboration with the Youth Network for Risk Factor Reduction and the Children, and the Youth and Family Foundation, hosted a seminar recently titled "Active Youth: The Coolest Choice is to Stop Drinking". It aimed to promote healthier choices among young people. Rungarun Limlahapan, director of ThaiHealth's Office of Risk Factor Control, said research, public campaigns, and community programmes are being marshalled to encourage safe, alcohol-free living. These initiatives focus on preventing initiation of drinking, reducing drink-driving and supporting high-risk groups, particularly children, youth and women. "We hope this seminar will be a turning point," Ms Rungarun said. "It's about inspiring individuals, communities and organisations to join forces for a healthier society." Figures from the National Statistical Office show alcohol consumption among Thais aged 15–24 has fallen from 34.7% in 2021 to 24.8% in 2024. Meanwhile, Dr Udomsak Sae-ngow, an associate professor at Walailak University, said countries with historically high youth drinking rates, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, have also experienced steady declines since the late 1990s. Social norm changes and increased time spent living with family, often under stricter household rules, are key factors behind these declines. However, Dr Udomsak warned Thailand's relatively stable youth drinking levels could face setbacks if government proposals to relax alcohol regulations are enacted, especially without strong enforcement. "Some young people feel pressured to drink to fit in socially or at university," he said. "Campaigns should promote the message that socialising without alcohol is possible and respectful -- drinking should never be the only way to bond."



