Report Thai Medical Council Debunks Thaksin’s Critical Illness Claims

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV Facebook

 

In a shocking revelation, the Medical Council of Thailand declared that Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto Pheu Thai leader, is not suffering from the critically ill conditions previously reported.

 

Medical Council vice-president Prasit Watanapa confirmed that a meeting of 60 councillors reviewed Thaksin's health status, initially cited as critically ill, and found no evidence supporting such life-threatening claims.

 

This announcement follows Thaksin's controversial transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison's hospital to Police Hospital under the pretext of critical illness.

 

Thaksin, the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, had been under this medical guise for six months before being released on parole last year.

 

The Medical Council concluded that his health did not necessitate an extended stay in the Police Hospital, raising questions about his hospitalisation in lieu of remaining in prison. The critique suggests that Thaksin, along with some doctors, exploited legal loopholes to avoid imprisonment entirely.

 

The attention now turns to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who chairs the Medical Council and could potentially veto the council's resolutions regarding Thaksin's supposed health conditions.

 

If he exercises this power, a significant majority—two-thirds of the councillors—would be needed to finalise the council's decision and enforce it. This adds another layer of complexity to what is being described as a politically charged and contentious saga.

 

In a related action, two doctors involved with Thaksin's treatment have had their medical licences temporarily suspended, as decreed by the Medical Council for failing to uphold medical ethics and providing misleading health information. Another doctor will receive a formal warning regarding compromised professional conduct.

 

This disciplinary action underlines the severity and ethical implications of the situation.

 

Next month, the Supreme Court will delve deeper into this contentious affair when it opens a trial concerning Thaksin's alleged manipulative actions, purportedly using fake illnesses to avoid serving his jail term. This hearing on June 13 is crucial, as Thaksin's return to prison might be imminent, depending on the court's verdict.

 

Thaksin was earlier convicted in absentia, receiving an eight-year sentence for power abuse during his time as Prime Minister, commuted to one year through royal pardon. Upon his 2023 return to Thailand after 17 years of self-exile, he strategically maneuvered to bypass his prison sentence, a move now being scrutinised by the highest court.

 

In summary, the Medical Council's findings not only challenge the veracity of Thaksin's ailment claims but also highlight a significant legal and ethical tussle that may redefine the boundaries of political influence within medical circles in Thailand.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-05-09

 

 

[webfact]

Doctors Disciplined as Thaksin Hospital Stay Sparks Ethics Storm

 

Photo of Police General Hospital 14th floor courtesy of The Nation
 

In a scandal rocking the Thai medical community, three doctors have been disciplined following an investigation into former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's contentious stay at the Police General Hospital.

 

The Medical Council of Thailand's decision, announced today, May 8, has raised eyebrows over healthcare standards and political influence within high-profile medical cases. This comes after ethical questions emerged surrounding Thaksin’s hospitalisation, which lacked conclusive evidence of him being in a critical condition.

 

Professor Doctor Prasit Watanapa, first vice president of the Medical Council, detailed the actions taken: one doctor received a formal warning, while two others had their medical licences suspended. This decision follows a probe led by an ad hoc subcommittee headed by Emeritus Professor Dr Amorn Leelarasamee. Formed to tackle complaints about Thaksin's move from the Department of Corrections Hospital to the Police General Hospital, the committee delved into the standards of care provided during this transfer.

 

Dr Amorn’s team initiated the inquiry in December 2024, collecting essential medical data from the Police General Hospital to underpin their conclusions. Originally set to reveal their findings in April, the release was deferred due to the submission of additional medical documents from both the Police General Hospital and the Department of Corrections Hospital. This delay culminated today with the Medical Council voting on the disciplinary measures.

 

At an April 10 gathering, Dr Methee Wongsirisuwan, a Council member, delineated the seven-step investigative protocol. The process has currently reached step 4, and once concluded, the case will enter step 5 for an external legal review, an important phase before potentially enacting disciplinary measures.

 

Should the resolution be approved, it will then proceed to the President of the Special Committee of the Medical Council, Somsak Thepsuthin, who is also the Minister of Public Health, for ultimate endorsement.

 

If contested, the resolution will return to the Medical Council for further evaluation. With a vote requiring a two-thirds majority to uphold disciplinary measures, the accused physicians hold the right to appeal should the decision not be in their favour. This situation highlights the delicate balance between medical ethics and political dynamics in high-stakes healthcare scenarios.

 

The investigation not only impacts the future professional standing of the doctors involved but also poses broader questions about the standards and impartiality of medical practices when entangled with political narratives. As these developments unfold, they illuminate the ongoing struggle within healthcare systems to maintain ethical integrity amidst external pressures.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-09

 

 

[JoePai]

"Shock, Horror" who would have thought    🤣

[Geoffggi]

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Medical Council concluded that his health did not necessitate an extended stay in the Police Hospital, raising questions about his hospitalisation in lieu of remaining in prison. The critique suggests that Thaksin, along with some doctors, exploited legal loopholes to avoid imprisonment entirely.

 

WOW I am totally Shocked - NOT - This comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone ..................LOL 🙄😂😎

[phil2407]

Get the popcorn 🍿 

[Artisi]

Ok, 3 doctors (the fall guys) given a wrap over the knuckles for the bull 💩 that went on, how about the criminal instigater who put them up to it and played along and milked for months in his own interests - well, he's untouchable so nothing will come of it. 

 

[smedly]

check their bank accounts, this is pure corruption from a man who is an expert

[connda]

💰💰💰

                      💰💰💰💰

What will happen?

💰                                      💰              💰       💰

 

💰💰💰💰💰  Not a da*m thing.

[ozz1]

Nothing to see here he's a protected species just pass the envelope over and say nothing

[madone]

Headline should read "Thai medical council confirms the obvious" 

[findlay13]

Surprise Surprise! 

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The attention now turns to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who chairs the Medical Council and could potentially veto the council's resolutions regarding Thaksin's supposed health conditions.

I'm just glad that this is chaired by an individual well-known for his integrity:

 

 Somsak’s background is in the construction business. In the
2005 election, Thai Rak Thai won four seats in Sukhothai. All were under the sway of Somsak, who
had become the bigwig politician of Sukhothai. In Thailand’s latest 2023 general election, Somsak’s
faction, under the banner of PT, swept Sukhothai’s MP seats. Parties are not important in Sukhothai as
exemplified by Somsak’s constant party defections (he has switched parties five times across 13
elections). In 2024, his brother-in-law was re-elected PAO President. Source: Sanook.com, “History
of ‘Somsak Thepsuthin’ and the role of a 10-term MP who has never been in the ‘opposition’” 4 June
2024, https://www.sanook.com/news/9025586/.

 

Source: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ISEAS_Perspective_2025_28.pdf

the above is well worth a read if you are interested in Thailand's political families...

[riverhigh]

 

"In a shocking revelation, the Medical Council of Thailand declared that Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto Pheu Thai leader, is not suffering from the critically ill conditions previously reported."

 

 

Shoking revelation? Not on the AseanNow forum.  One of the few articles where noone is doubting his fake illness. Just another day in Thailand.

[ujayujay]

That means Thaksin is a malingerer and has taken the whole people for fools...simply: a fraud

[newbee2022]

Sounds embarrassing for Thaksin.

Wondering how he will get out of this tight spot.

Is there really justice in Thailand.

We'll see though it's a long way.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Medical Council concluded that his health did not necessitate an extended stay in the Police Hospital, raising questions about his hospitalisation in lieu of remaining in prison. The critique suggests that Thaksin, along with some doctors, exploited legal loopholes to avoid imprisonment entirely.

Cats among the pigeons... 

[mran66]

Wonder ir there is any single individual in this world who knows anything about taksin and thai politics and would have believed the narrative in the first place. The whole thing was was too obvious. 

 

Same thing goes for the 'negotiations' about possibly forming govt with MFP. Just smoke and mirrors to haze the plan incl truce with conservatives. 

[mran66]

14 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Sounds embarrassing for Thaksin.

Wondering how he will get out of this tight spot.

Is there really justice in Thailand.

We'll see though it's a long way.

 

555

 

As long as remains in the short leash installed by conservatives, I don't think he has much to worry as both parties have a lot to gain. Rememer who controls judical system. 

 

Question is rather whether we will see further entertaining developments with the arrangement he has with power holders. I believe we will

[hotchilli]

14 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Sounds embarrassing for Thaksin.

Wondering how he will get out of this tight spot.

Is there really justice in Thailand.

We'll see though it's a long way.

The Thaksin playbook.... well thumbed

[TheFishman1]

Is it a weird here one doctor temporary loses his license to practice another doctor is under the gun same thing may happen it seems like all the people end up maybe going to jail except for the guy that’s guilty it’s kind of reminds me of the Red Bull thing many people went to jail with that cover-up but the Red Bull kid he never even spent a day in the police station TIT 

[newbee2022]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The Thaksin playbook.... well thumbed

He could not buy the doctors.

[damian]

Tony will get away scott free from this. 

 

Sadly, a number of people will be sacrificed as scape goats who were initially threatened into submission by the 'born to rule' bullies. 

 

Will Tony care? Not one iota.  

[jwl53]

Good God this report gas just burst my bubble, here's me been thinking all this time that the thai medicle department had worked a miricle saving his life  and  making the guy as fit as a butchers dog 🐕 😳 😅 😬 

[Nip]

5 hours ago, Artisi said:

Ok, 3 doctors (the fall guys) given a wrap over the knuckles for the bull 💩 that went on, how about the criminal instigater who put them up to it and played along and milked for months in his own interests - well, he's untouchable so nothing will come of it. 

 

Have to concede that Thaksin has some neck. Like a jockeys bo88ox.

[scorecard]

7 hours ago, JoePai said:

"Shock, Horror" who would have thought    🤣

 

Let's be clear, there's a number of 'strange' factors which together add up to him entering Thailand with no report of illness / or serious illness / or critical illness, a couple of hours at Klong Prem then into an advanced medical penthouse suite at the police general hospital.

 

Many months and many medical reports later re sickness but they are not conclusive then he's released and all over Thailand visiting various venues and making political contacts with old friends / cronies and political speeches. 

 

And the gullible Thai public don't raise hell.  

[cynic1]

2 hours ago, ujayujay said:

That means Thaksin is a malingerer and has taken the whole people for fools...simply: a fraud

The people were not fools. Those in charge of this flawed system are the fools thinking that ordinary people believe in what they spoon feed them. They are the corrupt FOOLS.

[smew]

from very top to very bottom all the same... very few exceptions 

[crazykopite]

This illness was planned well before he agreed to come back to Thailand if he wasn’t guaranteed his immediate freedom he would never of returned and the good people of Thailand know this even though they support . It is highly unlikely that his sister will return to the Kingdom due to all the controversy over his return and his fake illnesses 

[sambum]

WOW! Just WOW!

 

Neever mind, going by the gobbledegook underneath the main headline it looks like it will go to appeal, and then to and fro like the pendulum on a grandfather clock, by which time they will all be retired and they will have to start the process all over again - YAWN! 

[thesetat]

With 2 doctors licenses already revoked for this. How can Thaksin escape being convicted and returned to prison?  By the doctors who lost their medical licenses over this, Is clearly evidence that Thaksin skirted his prison sentence by faking severe illness. It will be interesting to see how Thaksin manages to skirt this now. If the courts find he was really using the medical illness as an excuse to skirt his prison sentence, he will have to return to prison for 8 years, the full length of his initial sentencing