Photo courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In a captivating twist in Thailand’s political scene, a Supreme Court hearing on Friday delved into why six doctors, including Pol Col Dr Chana Chongchokdee, treated former PM Thaksin Shinawatra without him serving a day behind bars.

 

Dr. Chana, a neurosurgeon at the Police General Hospital (PGH), questioned his presence in court, as he simply provided medical care to Thaksin. This inquiry follows Thaksin’s transfer to PGH after experiencing chest pain and related issues on 22nd August 2023. Despite the prison sentence, Thaksin received medical care outside jail, sparking public scrutiny.

 

Accompanying Dr. Chana were five other PGH medical professionals, including former PGH chief Pol Lt-Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhacharu and current chief Pol Lt-Gen Dr Thaveesilp Wechvitarn. Notably, their specialties did not align with Thaksin’s reported heart condition, raising eyebrows about the medical team’s composition.

 

The controversy intensified as Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee party, remarked on Facebook that key neurosurgeons treated a patient with heart disease. He highlighted the absence of a typical “doctor’s order note” in court-submitted documents, only “progress notes.”

 

Financial records further fuelled the debate. Of 26 receipts submitted by PGH, 17 pertained to room charges over a six-month stay, while only nine covered medications. This raised questions over the medical necessity of Thaksin’s prolonged hospitalisation.

 

Dr. Warong empathised with Dr. Chana, acknowledging his unwarranted entanglement in this controversy. The case unfolded further when former Democrat MP Charnchai Isarasenarak disclosed medical expenses amounting to about 2.4 million Thai Baht (approximately £55,000). Curiously, PGH receipts from 23rd August to 4th September 2023 totalled only 140,000 Thai Baht (approximately £3,200), excluding medication costs during Thaksin’s reported critical period.

 

Both former and current PGH chief doctors claimed external purchase of medicines, explaining the absence of medication expenses in official receipts. Former MP Charnchai labelled this situation as “very abnormal.”

 

With Thailand closely watching, the court’s decision may have significant implications for the nation’s justice system and political landscape. As the case unfolds, questions about medical ethics, judicial transparency, and the interplay of politics in healthcare remain vivid topics of public debate.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-07-21

 

 

Common sense..... which patient are in a hospital for 181 days?? Terminal patients or serious infected Corona patients..All others are sent home after a few days weeks or a few months, but nobody after 6 months

On and on it goes what a joke we all know that money is the answer check their bank accounts but that won't happen too many people involved

Every one a liar. Every one no shame. Every one no remorse. Every one no responsibility for their actions.

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In a captivating twist in Thailand’s political scene, a Supreme Court hearing on Friday delved into why six doctors, including Pol Col Dr Chana Chongchokdee, treated former PM Thaksin Shinawatra without him serving a day behind bars.

 

Dr. Chana, a neurosurgeon at the Police General Hospital (PGH), questioned his presence in court, as he simply provided medical care to Thaksin. This inquiry follows Thaksin’s transfer to PGH after experiencing chest pain and related issues on 22nd August 2023. Despite the prison sentence, Thaksin received medical care outside jail, sparking public scrutiny.

 

Accompanying Dr. Chana were five other PGH medical professionals, including former PGH chief Pol Lt-Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhacharu and current chief Pol Lt-Gen Dr Thaveesilp Wechvitarn. Notably, their specialties did not align with Thaksin’s reported heart condition, raising eyebrows about the medical team’s composition.

 

The controversy intensified as Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee party, remarked on Facebook that key neurosurgeons treated a patient with heart disease. He highlighted the absence of a typical “doctor’s order note” in court-submitted documents, only “progress notes.”

 

Financial records further fuelled the debate. Of 26 receipts submitted by PGH, 17 pertained to room charges over a six-month stay, while only nine covered medications. This raised questions over the medical necessity of Thaksin’s prolonged hospitalisation.

 

Dr. Warong empathised with Dr. Chana, acknowledging his unwarranted entanglement in this controversy. The case unfolded further when former Democrat MP Charnchai Isarasenarak disclosed medical expenses amounting to about 2.4 million Thai Baht (approximately £55,000). Curiously, PGH receipts from 23rd August to 4th September 2023 totalled only 140,000 Thai Baht (approximately £3,200), excluding medication costs during Thaksin’s reported critical period.

 

Both former and current PGH chief doctors claimed external purchase of medicines, explaining the absence of medication expenses in official receipts. Former MP Charnchai labelled this situation as “very abnormal.”

 

With Thailand closely watching, the court’s decision may have significant implications for the nation’s justice system and political landscape. As the case unfolds, questions about medical ethics, judicial transparency, and the interplay of politics in healthcare remain vivid topics of public debate.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-07-21

 

 

As long Thaksin's relation to the "Highest" is flawless he will be safe.

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This raised questions over the medical necessity of Thaksin’s prolonged hospitalisation.

We know the answer... a charade orchestrated by people of influence to keep Thaksin out of jail.

Doctors were told what to do to keep their employment current.

I feel like I’m on a merry-go-round everybody knows that he paid and he really was that ill for six months hell who stays in the hospital six months he paid his way out of jail he got a reduction in a time he never really spent a night in jail it was all an act The corruption of his family should be an outrage he leaves the country 15 years flies back in his personal $65 million jet parties the night before in next-door country then comes here he sells out as to the Cambodia with the border stuff his sister did it with the rice his daughter Prime Minister what a joke that was come on TIT 

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

As the case unfolds, questions about medical ethics, judicial transparency, and the interplay of politics in healthcare remain vivid topics of public debate

Which undoubtedly will be brushed aside and Thaksin will be absolved of all guilt.

19 hours ago, ozz1 said:

On and on it goes what a joke we all know that money is the answer check their bank accounts but that won't happen too many people involved

He cleverly used doctors unrelated to the medical complaints he made. It had to be planned out just for this occurence. Thats a workaround to say " hey I'm a doctor and I treaoccurrence. I was requested but its not my specialty so I can't attest to the severity a specialist could".  so a non answer answer excuse to not find him in violation of anything. He was just a victim because the hospital chose the "wrong" doctors to treat him. 

Odd how this story says nothing about the implications of affect this inquiry will make on Thaksin himself and his returning to prison. I would like to know how much weight this hearing will have on the outcome of Thaksins case. Even if the doctors all approved the treatments and medicine, was it necessary for him to remain hospitalized for the whole length of his prison sentence and conveniently be ready for discharge at the end of his sentence? 

Why worry?  He was very sick and stayed in hospital. That's it.

Why press on with a known ending.

Have a beer or three. 🙂

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Notably, their specialties did not align with Thaksin’s reported heart condition, raising eyebrows about the medical team’s composition.

However, their other specialties aligned flawlessly with Thaksin's wallet, making perfect sense of their presence.

The Thai public are not fools although those in high places treat them as idiots there was absolutely nothing wrong with Toni is was all well and truly planned before he set foot on Thai tarmac one minute he is on his death bed the next he is up and running visiting his then good friend in Cambodia installing his daughter as PM if this court believes in justice they will send him where he belongs in prison but we all know this will ever happen due to the corruption that thrives in the Kingdom