Report Health Minister Somsak Blocks Punishment of Doctors in Thaksin Hospital Case

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has vetoed the Medical Council of Thailand's disciplinary actions against three doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hospitalisation decision. This move came as no surprise, given the political and public interest surrounding the case.

 

Somsak's intervention follows a committee's review of the council's decision. The Public Health Minister, supported by his aide, Vice Public Health Minister Thanakrit Jitareerat, sent a formal opinion to the council, urging a reassessment of their resolution. The case involves three doctors who allowed Thaksin to remain at the Police General Hospital instead of being transferred to Bangkok Remand Prison, following a medical evaluation. Thaksin was ultimately released on parole after a prolonged hospital stay.

 

The Medical Council had initially investigated four doctors, exonerating one and deciding to issue a warning and suspend the licences of the remaining three. However, Somsak’s response, while not fully disclosed, reportedly supports the dismissal of the case against one doctor but contests the punitive measures against the others.

 

Somsak's veto came shortly after Thaksin criticised the Medical Council for alleged partiality and unprofessional conduct. The council now faces internal deliberations, scheduled for June 12, where they must seek a two-thirds majority to override the minister's veto—a challenging task, given the government's influence within the council.

 

This situation highlights the intricate balance of medical ethics, political influence, and procedural integrity, drawing significant attention and scrutiny from both the public and stakeholders within Thailand’s healthcare and political arenas.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-05-29

 

 

[blaze master]

What a disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourself somsack. Thailand is corrupt from top to bottom.

[WHansen]

Pressure from above.

[bannork]

Yes, Somsak must be feeling confident of strong backing to go against the Medical Council.

I wonder what the conservative elite who despise Thaksin and his minions think now.

[jacnl2000]

I beg to differ. Causation hasn’t been proven, but influence is being inferred—and credibility is at stake. In moments like these, it’s better to protect the integrity of the system than to yield to appearances. The minister has my full support. After all, what else is a minister supposed to do?

Unless there is clear and demonstrable deviation from established medical standards, healthcare professionals must be shielded from political fallout. We owe them not blind protection, but informed trust. This isn’t about defending individuals—it’s about preserving the backbone of professional institutions from erosion under political pressure.

[Chin01]

2 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

I beg to differ. Causation hasn’t been proven, but influence is being inferred—and credibility is at stake. In moments like these, it’s better to protect the integrity of the system than to yield to appearances. The minister has my full support. After all, what else is a minister supposed to do?

Unless there is clear and demonstrable deviation from established medical standards, healthcare professionals must be shielded from political fallout. We owe them not blind protection, but informed trust. This isn’t about defending individuals—it’s about preserving the backbone of professional institutions from erosion under political pressure.

...and you know the details of the investigation?  Do tell...

[jacnl2000]

1 hour ago, Chin01 said:

...and you know the details of the investigation?  Do tell...

 

No, I don’t know the details of the investigation involving Thaksin. I respect how complex the situation is and believe fairness and trust in medical institutions must come first.

[redwood1]

1 hour ago, jacnl2000 said:

 

No, I don’t know the details of the investigation involving Thaksin. I respect how complex the situation is and believe fairness and trust in medical institutions must come first.

 

Well Sir let me fill you in with the details of the investigation......First try looking up the word corruption in the dictionary....

These so called doctors credibility went out the window the day they became unusually wealthy after after agreeing covering for Tony and his very fake sickness...

 

 

[wozzlegummich]

Seems there are no bounds to Thaksin's power (money) in Thailand. 

[Jim Blue]

So it's finished then ?

[The Alien]

This so-called minister has switched parties at least six times during his political career. His goal appears to be remaining in government at any cost, without regard for principles or dignity. The rest you can figure out. 

[Gandtee]

14 hours ago, WHansen said:

Pressure from above.

Maybe the doctors received an offer they couldn't refuse.😦

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, blaze master said:

What a disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourself somsack. Thailand is corrupt from top to bottom.

You obviously know all details to judge about this case.

Blubbering as always

[kingstonkid]

 

[stevenl]

8 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

 

No, I don’t know the details of the investigation involving Thaksin. I respect how complex the situation is and believe fairness and trust in medical institutions must come first.

Complex? Either he was almost dying and needed his own wing, or he was just sick, or maybe even healthy, and the prison ward would suffice.

[klauskunkel]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has vetoed the Medical Council of Thailand's disciplinary actions against three doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hospitalisation decision.

Of course he did.

If not, those doctors would implicate the hell out of everybody's high-ranking asses.

[Captain Flack]

A post not in English has been removed.

[ujayujay]

Everyone in the LOS knows that. This pack will stick together until the end of time.

[phil2407]

Is the health minister an actual Doctor (& his aide)?  Doesn’t look like it so how he can even understand what the medical council say?  
hope the medical council get the 2/3 they need 

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, WHansen said:

Pressure from above.

With a capitol T ?

[connda]

Of course - everyone is protected.  Teflon Tony spreads the love. 

฿฿฿฿฿Cha-Ching฿฿฿฿฿

[connda]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has vetoed the Medical Council of Thailand's disciplinary actions against three doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hospitalisation decision. This move came as no surprise, given the political and public interest surrounding the case.

 

Somsak's intervention follows a committee's review of the council's decision. The Public Health Minister, supported by his aide, Vice Public Health Minister Thanakrit Jitareerat, sent a formal opinion to the council, urging a reassessment of their resolution. The case involves three doctors who allowed Thaksin to remain at the Police General Hospital instead of being transferred to Bangkok Remand Prison, following a medical evaluation. Thaksin was ultimately released on parole after a prolonged hospital stay.

You gotta love this.  The new paradigm in global governance is, "Screw the commoners, we don't care what average people or voters want.  We do wherever the highest bidder wants us to do.  The wealthy are better than the rest of you and deserve special treatment, so p***-off little people."  

Yeah - vote for us.  We'll give you all 10K THB and work in the best interests of the public.  Honest Indian. 

[connda]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This situation highlights the intricate balance of medical ethics, political influence, and procedural integrity, drawing significant attention and scrutiny from both the public and stakeholders within Thailand’s healthcare and political arenas.

Stakeholders rule the roost; the public be da*med.  

[connda]

18 hours ago, blaze master said:

What a disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourself somsack. Thailand is corrupt from top to bottom.

Well, at least some things never change.  At least you can anticipate what TPTB are gonna do from day to day.

[anchadian]

Well said young man:

UPDATE: Doctor Prayong Temchawala, a former president of Mahidol University Student Council, penned an open letter calling all medical professionals to rise up, impeach Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, and overthrow the "infeective" Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Prayong said in the letter dated May 29 that people should also question if the parliamentary system is suitable for Thailand because Thailandbeeds "radical change."

 

--- Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, in his capacity as Special President of the Medical Council, on Wednesday vetoes the Medical Council's resolution to punish the 3 medical doctors who were found to have distorted their medical opinions in order to assist former premier Thaksin Shinawatra to be qualified to be detained at the Police Hospital instead of Bangkok Remand Prison.

 

 

 

https://x.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1928335002561040398

 

 

[jacnl2000]

19 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

Well Sir let me fill you in with the details of the investigation......First try looking up the word corruption in the dictionary....

These so called doctors credibility went out the window the day they became unusually wealthy after after agreeing covering for Tony and his very fake sickness...

 

 

 

Apologies for my rather late reply. In my family, there are always a few who insist on having the last word. I do belong to this family (read slowly), but I’m not one of them.

 

A lot unfolded in this thread during my return drive from my place of birth to The Hague. News tends to travel faster than my car these days. I followed Teslas on the highway, trusting their automatic speed controls—not eager to get flashed when in a hurry. Naturally, I appreciate and welcome new developments—and I give them the chance to grow.

 

Alongside feeling slightly honored—and quite used to being addressed as Sir and San, not Son nor Sun, in most high-tech environments—my dear Sir, I know voices must be heard, raised, and earned—not bought. And these days, not-so-poor Thaksin is easier to sell than my old, characterful furniture on Dutch Marktplaats. Heavy, real-character furniture that lasts a hundred years or more and even carries my bronze name tag—a place where, quite impressively, you can sell things you don’t even need to own. Just like a headline.

 

But I’m not trading trust in institutions for pitchfork politics—or for the thrill of pushing just another story. I know what a Dutch gaffel is—I used one as a boy feeding cows on our neighbor’s potato farm. And in plain buffalo language: not every tool made for lifting hay is fit for judging doctors—especially not just before they arrive at becoming one.

 

I’ve read the letters, and I know tempers run high—especially when vetoes are cast like nets over troubled waters. But even when institutions wobble, or resolutions are overturned before the ink dries, I still believe reform must outpace rage. Medicine is no battlefield for regime change. And though accountability must be demanded, not every stethoscope should become a sword.

 

Yes, I saw that fiery call to overthrow the “infeective” Paetongtarn Shinawatra—though I’m still not sure whether that was meant to question her effectiveness or diagnose her with a contagious typo. Either way, I don’t believe regime change should be driven by spelling errors or pitchfork enthusiasm.

 

I know all too well that not every professor can be trusted. That’s why we invented science. I was trained by the best, asked hard questions, and had to answer even harder ones. Dutch politician Steenkamp comes to mind—when he visited my birthplace, he addressed people with his usual “Sir.”

Radical change may stir hearts, but I’ve seen plenty of hammers swung in frustration—only to find they were needed later to build.

So I’ll run off with this touch of folksy elegance—hopefully with a smile on both our faces.

And if you wish to continue our conversation, you’re most welcome to do so. I didn’t reply immediately—I was on my way to The Hague. No, I’m not a war criminal. Last time I checked my VOG, I wasn’t one of them. I wasn't arrested and could finish my coffee—The Hague’s machine isn’t half bad these days:

 

[FritsSikkink]

What a surprise.