Politics Thaksin Hospital Transfer Sparks Ethics Firestorm at Thailand’s Medical Council

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Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Thailand's Medical Council faces scrutiny as a key veto sparks debate over ethics, politics, and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's treatment.

 

Somkid Thepsuthin, Thailand's Health Minister, recently exercised his veto power against a Medical Council decision to discipline three doctors involved in transferring former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from a prison hospital to the police hospital for over 180 days.

 

This move has intensified criticism and sparked ethical debates within and outside the medical community.

 

Close associates of Minister Somkid have allegedly released private chat messages from a Medical Council group, revealing discussions about Thaksin. These actions have led to ethical complaints, igniting further controversy, with a Ministry of Health spokesperson defending the discussions as personal opinions.

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Minister Somkid's intervention, labelled as politically motivated by some, suggests a standard of ethics only favouring certain interests. Despite his claims that medical certificates and statements were manipulated, critics argue this inquiry serves political ends rather than justice or medical ethics.

 

The situation has stirred professionals nationwide to defend the Medical Council's impartiality and demands for Minister Somkid's resignation, citing conflict of interest and improper influence.

 

Thaksin's health condition remains central—his alleged critical illness provided grounds for his hospital transfer. Critics insist his illness was manageable, questioning the special treatment he received, unlike other inmates, and suggest comprehensive ethical enquiries across various governmental bodies. These include the National Anti-Corruption Commission and judicial entities, potentially implicating Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party in an extensive network of political manoeuvring.

 

The upcoming Medical Council meeting on 12th June will be pivotal in determining whether it upholds its original decision or bows to Somkid's veto.

 

His presence at the meeting to "clarify before voting" underscores the high stakes: failure to uphold the veto could mean political and personal repercussions for Thaksin and Somkid alike.

 

Legal opinions, such as from lawyer association leader Narinpong Jinapuck, argue Thaksin bears no culpability for the actions leading to his transfer, a sentiment not shared by all. The political landscape starkly contrasts, as the Medical Council's decision could either reaffirm or alter Thaksin's political trajectory.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily News 2025-06-11

 

 

[seajae]

its thaksins party,  does anyone expect them to let anything he does  or is involved in continue when they can pull the plug using their political power. This is just another case of total dishonesty and doing exactly what their boss tells them to do, thaksin should be locked up and his party disbanded but so much money has exchanged hands they are a protected species, just goes to show money rules especially with this govt & judicial elements, having a puppet pm also helps

[Pouatchee]

lock him up and throw away the key