Fike photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

The Medical Council of Thailand is bracing for a pivotal meeting on June 12, after a controversial veto by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin overturned its decision to discipline three doctors associated with Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

The council's secretary-general, ACM Ittaporn Kanacharoen, has called for all 70 board members to gather, marking a significant moment following the minister’s veto. The meeting aims to address the decision, with the board needing a two-thirds majority to counter the minister's move.

 

All 35 elected board members are reportedly on board to attend the meeting, with ongoing attempts to confirm attendance from members appointed by position.

 

The council’s board, split evenly between elected and appointed members, includes key figures from the Public Health Ministry and medical school deans. At least 47 votes are required to contest the minister’s veto, a hurdle potentially altering the council's authority and oversight.

 

The crux of the saga dates back to May 8, when the council sought to suspend the licences of two senior doctors from Police General Hospital on grounds of exaggerating Thaksin's health issues.

 

Another doctor from the Corrections Department Hospital was also warned for leveraging their position to reassign Thaksin from prison to a hospital. Under scrutiny, Thaksin resided on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital for a six-month term, avoiding jail time.

 

Minister Somsak, aligned with the Pheu Thai Party helmed by Thaksin’s daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn, faced backlash over his veto, with critics perceiving it as meddling in a professional matter to shield Thaksin.

 

Detractors, including lawmakers and former political activist Suriyasai Katasila, have condemned the interference, dubbing it an affront to the council’s internal governance. However, Treechaca Srithada, a Public Health Ministry spokeswoman, dismissed the criticisms as partisan opposition to Thaksin and the affiliated red-shirt movement.

 

The impending meeting underscores broader political undercurrents within Thailand’s healthcare governance, the council’s regulatory independence, and the potential influence of political allegiances on professional conduct.

 

As the meeting date approaches, all eyes will be on the council as it seeks resolution on a matter with echoes far beyond healthcare circles.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-31

 

 

Somsak's mattress must be nearly touching the ceiling 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The Medical Council of Thailand is bracing for a pivotal meeting on June 12, after a controversial veto by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin overturned its decision to discipline three doctors associated with Thaksin Shinawatra

I sincerely hope the board members do the right thing, unlike the Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin.

Should read meeting to dish out the brown envelopes 🤷🏼