Latest news with #MedicalCouncilofThailand
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai DPM Phumtham cancels Paris trip to monitor three key developments
BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (pic) has cancelled his planned trip to Paris next week in order to monitor three key developments involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Thai-Cambodian relations, a source said. The source revealed that Phumtham decided to withdraw from the military meeting and airshow scheduled for June 15–19 in Paris so he could remain in the country to closely follow events occurring on June 12, 13 and 14. On Thursday (June 12), the Medical Council of Thailand is due to meet to decide whether to reaffirm its resolution to punish three doctors who gave opinions that were used as justification for allowing Thaksin to stay at the Police General Hospital for six months instead of serving time in Bangkok Remand Prison. The council had previously resolved to suspend the medical licences of two doctors and issue a warning to a third. However, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin exercised his right to veto the resolution. This veto means the council must now secure a two-thirds majority vote to reaffirm the decision. On June 13, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office is scheduled to begin an inquisitorial process into whether state agencies failed to enforce the court's ruling to imprison Thaksin. The court earlier stated it had reason to believe Thaksin's sentence was not properly carried out, given that he remained at the Police General Hospital for six months before being paroled in February last year. As a result, the court decided to initiate its own inquiry. Meanwhile, the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) was initially set to meet in Phnom Penh on June 14. However, following the May 28 border skirmish at the Chong Bok Pass in Ubon Ratchathani, Cambodia indicated it might cancel the meeting. If the meeting proceeds, Phumtham will still need to monitor its outcomes to assess whether they serve Thailand's interests in the ongoing border dispute. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Former Thai PM Thaksin is genuinely ill and ready to defend himself, says PM Paetongtarn
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, her father, is genuinely ill and prepared to defend himself through the judicial process. Thaksin is currently under investigation by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions concerning his stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital. Last week, the Medical Council of Thailand issued a disciplinary ruling against the doctors involved in the case. The decision is now pending a review by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. Paetongtarn stated on Tuesday (May 13) that the matter remains unresolved and that no member of the Medical Council has officially confirmed whether or not Thaksin is genuinely ill. She assured the public that everything is proceeding in accordance with judicial procedures. She also clarified that the Medical Council's ruling does not affect Thaksin personally, stating: 'My father is ready to explain the facts as they are.' She added that the government is prepared to provide a clear explanation to the public regarding Thaksin's medical condition prior to his return to Thailand. The Prime Minister stressed that Thaksin's case occurred before she assumed office, and noted that certain parties are trying to create misunderstandings, suggesting that she has interfered in the judicial process. She affirmed that she has no authority to intervene in any way. Paetongtarn acknowledged that the case has affected the Pheu Thai-led government, but insisted: 'What we can do is explain the facts based on evidence and what has actually happened.' She reiterated that Thaksin is indeed ill and confirmed that this position has remained unchanged over the past week. Regarding the disciplinary action taken by the Medical Council, she said the three doctors involved will have the opportunity to provide further clarification during the next phase of the proceedings. - The Nation/ANN
