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Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Thai panel upholds suspension of doctors who helped Thaksin dodge jail
Thaksin Shinawatra remains a towering figure in Thai politics and is highly influential. (AFP pic) BANGKOK : Thailand's medical council on Thursday upheld its suspension of two doctors who enabled influential politician Thaksin Shinawatra to spend his prison sentence in hospital, a day ahead of the start of a Supreme Court case that could see him jailed. Thaksin, the driving force behind the current government, returned from 15 years of self-exile in 2023 to serve a prison term for abuse of power and conflicts of interest, but was sent to hospital after only a few hours in jail complaining of chest problems. The polarising billionaire, whose daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra is prime minister, stayed in a VIP wing of the hospital for six months until his release on parole without a single night in jail, prompting public outrage and deep scepticism about the extent of his ailments. 'More than two-thirds of the council voted to uphold the punishments,' medical council of Thailand vice president, Prasit Watanapa, told reporters. 'Members made the decision based on medical principles, evidence and reason.' The suspensions could impact a case at the Supreme Court that begins on Friday in which the legality of Thaksin's hospital stay has been challenged, with the possibility the tycoon could be made to serve that time again, in prison. Thaksin, 75, remains a towering figure in Thai politics and though he holds no formal government role, he is highly influential. His lawyer declined to comment on Thursday on the council's decision. The revival of the controversy over Thaksin's hospital stay comes at a challenging time for Paetongtarn's government, which is seeing its popularity dwindle amid a prolonged struggle to spur economic growth and domestic pressure to take a tougher stance on an ongoing border dispute with Cambodia. Thaksin's sentence was originally eight years, but it was commuted to a year by the king and he became eligible for parole after six months. The medical council's vote overrides a veto of its earlier decision by health minister Somsak Thapsutin, a Thaksin ally. The council had yet to confirm the duration of the suspension of the two doctors, who it found had issued documents that contained false medical information. They had denied wrongdoing and stood by their medical assessments. Another doctor with the corrections department received a warning for failing to meet medical standards in a referral notice for Thaksin.
CNA
08-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Thailand suspends two doctors over ex-PM Thaksin hospital stay
BANGKOK: Thailand's Medical Council suspended two doctors on Thursday (May 8) over alleged ethical violations linked to treatment given to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra following his return from exile. Thaksin, 75, returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade overseas and was sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power upon arrival. However, he was transferred almost immediately from a detention centre to a private room in Bangkok's Police General Hospital for health reasons and never spent a night in a cell. His transfer, and the timing of his return, which coincided with his Pheu Thai party forming a new government, fuelled public suspicion of a backroom deal and allegations of special treatment. The Medical Council of Thailand said its ethics committee voted to suspend two doctors involved in issuing medical certificates for the ex-premier, citing discrepancies between their reports and his actual condition. "It is a consequence of a sub-par professional work," the Council's Vice President Prasit Watanapa told reporters after the meeting. He said that a third doctor who was involved in less "severe consequences" will receive a letter of warning. "It is indeed a very harsh punishment for any doctors," he added, without saying how long the suspensions would last. The disciplinary decision will be submitted to the Minister of Public Health for final approval. Thailand's Supreme Court announced last week it will investigate whether Thaksin's sentence was properly served, and has summoned hospital and prison officials for questioning. Thaksin, who had said he would retire from politics after returning, has remained active, campaigning in provincial elections for Pheu Thai and recently volunteering in informal trade discussions with the United States, according to Thai media. While Thaksin remains popular with his support base, he has long been disliked by Thailand's pro-royalist and military establishment.
