Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Police in Bangkok have arrested a 74-year-old man posing as a doctor while he was in the middle of examining patients at a private clinic.

 

The suspect, identified as Boonmak Phansila, was caught red-handed in a medical clinic on Soi Lat Phrao 48, where he had been working under the stolen identity of a qualified physician, Dr Manid Jaruwan.

 

Police officers from Metropolitan Police Division 3, acting on intelligence, entered the clinic and found Boonmak wearing a doctor’s coat, treating patients using Thailand’s national health scheme. On the wall of the consultation room hung his photograph, but under the false name “Dr Manid Jaruwan”.

 

A search of the clinic uncovered a rubber stamp and patient records bearing the doctor’s forged name. Officers confirmed Boonmak’s identity against an active arrest warrant and immediately took him into custody.

 

A Repeat Offender

 

Investigations revealed that Boonmak is a repeat offender who has twice before been prosecuted for impersonating a doctor. In 2019, he was arrested at a factory medical room in Rayong province after posing as a company doctor for two years. He was later convicted and sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, but fled before sentencing was read. A warrant for his arrest was issued in 2022.

 

Despite this, he continued the deception. Police say he used forged medical documents and experience gleaned from shadowing real doctors in the past to obtain work in clinics in Bangkok, Rayong and Chachoengsao.

 

Patients Left in Shock

 

Staff at the Lat Phrao clinic told police they had believed Boonmak to be a highly experienced senior doctor, even addressing him as “Professor”. However, some became suspicious when he prescribed unusual or outdated medication, prompting quiet questions from nurses. On several occasions, when challenged, he quickly changed his prescriptions to align with modern practice.

 

His arrest left both patients and staff stunned. “We never doubted he was a real doctor, because of his age and the way he carried himself,” one nurse admitted.

 

Motive: Gambling Debt

 

During questioning, Boonmak confessed to forging documents and impersonating Dr Jaruwan. He admitted he was attracted by the financial rewards of the medical profession and said most of his earnings were squandered on gambling.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Boonmak was transferred to Rayong Provincial Court to face charges relating to his outstanding conviction, including forgery, violations of the Medical Profession Act, and offences under the Drug Act.

 

Meanwhile, police in Bangkok are preparing additional charges relating to his recent activities at the Lat Phrao clinic.

 

Authorities have warned the public of the dangers posed by fraudulent medical practitioners and pledged to tighten vetting procedures for part-time doctors working in private clinics.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-06

 

 

 

will he get bail ?,     lol

To be fair he did help by giving out 100 baht medicals for WR's and DL's       😎

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police in Bangkok have arrested a 74-year-old man posing as a doctor while he was in the middle of examining patients at a private clinic.

 

The suspect, identified as Boonmak Phansila, was caught red-handed in a medical clinic on Soi Lat Phrao 48, where he had been working under the stolen identity of a qualified physician, Dr Manid Jaruwan.

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