Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thailand's Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has taken a decisive step by assembling a 10-member panel to review the Medical Council’s ruling on the treatment provided to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

The panel’s evaluation will be crucial as it will guide Somsak, currently serving as a special chairman of the Medical Council, on how to manage the resolution outcomes. The Medical Council’s resolution, presented by Public Health Vice Minister Thanakrit Chitarirat, demands a timely response from Somsak by Thursday this week.

 

Somsak holds the power to either support or reject the resolution, a decision that could determine the future implications for medical personnel involved. Should he choose to exercise a veto, the resolution will be remitted to the Medical Council for further deliberation.

 

To override Somsak’s potential veto, a supermajority, two-thirds of the council members, will be required to maintain the resolution.

 

The controversy stems from an incident on May 8th where the Medical Council found ethical lapses in the medical handling of Thaksin’s reported health issues. The Council resolved to issue a warning to one doctor and suspend the medical licenses of two others for irregularities in Thaksin’s medical dossiers.

 

This action has sparked appeals from the former PGH chief, Pol Lt-Gen Sophonrat Singhacharu, and the current chief, Pol Lt-Gen Thaweesilp Wechwitarn, directed at Justice Minister Somsak.

 

This unfolding event highlights the delicate balance between medical oversight and political nuances, with its outcome potentially impacting the credibility and authority of healthcare practices.

 

As health authorities and political figures await the next steps, all eyes are on how Somsak will navigate this intricate situation within the allotted time frame. The decision has wide-reaching implications and will set the tone for future medical governance in the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from THai PBS World 2025-05-17

 

 

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

The controversy stems from an incident on May 8th where the Medical Council found ethical lapses in the medical handling of Thaksin’s reported health issues.

 

This is a problem of their own making, if they had been truthful throughout (hardly an option given who the subject is) and the correct process followed, instead they chose to feed the public a cock & bull story which a child could see through - Absolutely no sympathy 

Not decisive ... stalling!

Just tell us how many other prisoners have been transported to that police hospital and had utilized that same VIP suite over the years.

Health Minister Forms Panel to Examine Thaksin Medical Care Controversy

With instructions to take their time finding nothing was done wrong.

8 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

 

This is a problem of their own making, if they had been truthful throughout (hardly an option given who the subject is) and the correct process followed, instead they chose to feed the public a cock & bull story which a child could see through - Absolutely no sympathy 

At the end of the day, will Thaksin be required to serve time in an actual prison. 

Nope!  Wake me up if he ever serves a day in prison.  Until then?  Zzzzzzzzzz

9 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

 

This is a problem of their own making, if they had been truthful throughout (hardly an option given who the subject is) and the correct process followed, instead they chose to feed the public a cock & bull story which a child could see through - Absolutely no sympathy 

 

And added to the question marks, I add 'Would you trust the paymaster, or any of the senior persons involved?'

 

My thinking is NO!

Optics.

Give me or some other independent foreigners a place in the panel. They are mostly reliable and see what the results will be, as now with the friends of the culprit Thaksin we all know what the result will be...