Politics Supreme Court Questions Doctors Over Thaksin's Hospitalisation

[snoop1130]

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

 

 

[ikke1959]

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

[ozz1]

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

[Mr Meeseeks]

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