Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The chief physician of Police General Hospital, Dr. Taweesilp Wechawitarn, has been reassigned to an inactive post at the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre starting October 1. This follows a six-month suspension of his medical license by the Medical Council of Thailand for assisting former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in avoiding prison time. The suspension is part of broader scrutiny, with the police having initiated an investigation into alleged misconduct involved with Thaksin’s hospital stay.

 

The Medical Council's suspension notice, effective from October 1, noted that any breach would violate the Medical Profession Act. The council found that Dr. Taweesilp, who holds the rank of police lieutenant-general, and another physician, Pol Lt Gen Sophonrat Singhajaru, presented false medical information to keep Thaksin in a luxury ward. Pol Lt Gen Sophonrat's license was suspended for three months, while Dr. Taweesilp received a six-month suspension.

 

The Royal Thai Police began its investigation in July. In light of the suspension and ongoing inquiry, police authorities moved to transfer Dr. Taweesilp to ensure transparency and prevent harm to the force. Pol Lt Gen Paiboon Chiamanukulkit will serve as acting chief physician effective from October 1 to March 31.

 

On September 9, the Supreme Court mandated that Thaksin serve his one-year prison sentence, rejecting his extended hospital accommodation. His initial transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison, citing chest pain, was deemed illegitimate. Thaksin, who returned from 15 years of self-imposed exile on August 22, is currently held at Klong Prem Central Prison until his expected parole in February 2024.

 

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Taweesilp's transfer follows a six-month suspension of his medical license.
• Investigations focus on alleged misconduct related to Thaksin's hospital stay.
• Supreme Court requires Thaksin to serve his sentence in maximum-security prison.

 

Related stories:

Thaksin Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison Over Hospital Leave Case

Corrections Deny Rumors of Thaksin 's Hospital Transfer

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-02

 

 

"currently held at Klong Prem Central Prison until his expected parole in February 2024." .......

The civil service loves to transfer out these folks. Never come across a termination or sacking. Thai face facing culture?

11 hours ago, yang123 said:

"currently held at Klong Prem Central Prison until his expected parole in February 2024." .......

I had thought i read that Thaksin must serve the full year this time. Perhaps i was mistaken about that as this story suggests. 

 

All participants who aided in Thaksins medical scam should be incarcerated themselves. Surely they broke laws also to aid in Thaksins hospital stay previously. 

Where does it say Dr. Taweesilp Wechawitarn needs to give back his unusual new found wealth?......Not a word about that...

He got a good payment by the convict so now he can work somewhere else and enjoy his extra tea money he received....No problems anymore..The only thing is that Thaksin get away with it.. he should be charged with bribing a police officer, but instead he can apply for a parole.. It seems everybody is afraid of him and nobody dares to really punish him

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The chief physician of Police General Hospital, Dr. Taweesilp Wechawitarn, has been reassigned to an inactive post at the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre starting October 1.

Early retirement for helping Thaksin, how many lives have that family screwed up?

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

All participants who aided in Thaksins medical scam should be incarcerated themselves. Surely they broke laws also to aid in Thaksins hospital stay previously

Laws are flexible depending on status and who's involved

25 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

he should be charged with bribing a police officer,

He, and any of his family or cronies. These police/doctors did not lie for him out of the goodness of their heart. There must be a money trail somewhere if the rest of the police care to look.

31 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

He got a good payment by the convict so now he can work somewhere else and enjoy his extra tea money he received....No problems anymore..The only thing is that Thaksin get away with it.. he should be charged with bribing a police officer, but instead he can apply for a parole.. It seems everybody is afraid of him and nobody dares to really punish him

Punishing,  instead of just transferring somebody creates a precedent. Do you think any politician of the police would like that?

It appears that Toni enjoys ruining other peoples lives !

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

He got a good payment by the convict so now he can work somewhere else and enjoy his extra tea money he received....No problems anymore..The only thing is that Thaksin get away with it.. he should be charged with bribing a police officer, but instead he can apply for a parole.. It seems everybody is afraid of him and nobody dares to really punish him

It's not that everybody is afraid of him, it's because everybody hopes to become rich by helping him.

 

The good (?) doctor looks like a ventriloquist dummy, just waiting to be perched on his boss's knee.

 

Gottle O Geer.

Grown Engelope.

 

Clearly no remorse for what he has done . You have stolen justice from the people. Presumably in exchange for cash.This is the face of Thai corruption today.

7 hours ago, thesetat said:

I had thought i read that Thaksin must serve the full year this time. Perhaps i was mistaken about that as this story suggests. 

 

All participants who aided in Thaksins medical scam should be incarcerated themselves. Surely they broke laws also to aid in Thaksins hospital stay previously. 

I've said before that I wondered if his daughter, the then PM knew about the deception, or if he lied to her as well.

Yet, at the time, no one thought his actions to be irregular.........🤔

11 minutes ago, kimamey said:

I've said before that I wondered if his daughter, the then PM knew about the deception, or if he lied to her as well.

It can probably be said with a good degree of certainty that she was in on the whole thing from start to finish.  Even now I am sure she is pushing contacts to help daddy get out early. The question only remains is how to prove she aided him. 

43 minutes ago, thesetat said:

It can probably be said with a good degree of certainty that she was in on the whole thing from start to finish.  Even now I am sure she is pushing contacts to help daddy get out early. The question only remains is how to prove she aided him. 

It may be difficult to prove, but there are ways to put pressure on her. 

In the US Democrats want a vote on weather to release the Epstein files. They may win the vote, but even if they lose they can point to Republicans who vote against what they promised.

In the UK the police use a similar tactic when they stop a young person driving without a licence, insurance ect and the car belongs to their parents. "Do they know you are using their car?" If the answer is yes, then they have allowed them to use their car illegally, if no, then the vehicle was taken without consent.

 

In this instance the question would be, in court if possible, "Did your father lie to you about his condition?" Depending on where this question is asked it could be added " Whilst you were the Prime Minister of Thailand and expected to act to a high standard?" Whatever the answer its not going to look good.

There's also the the fact that Thaksin was perverting the course of justice at the same time as he was given a royal pardon. I'm guessing he wasn't open about that at the time.

On 10/2/2025 at 1:06 PM, yang123 said:

"currently held at Klong Prem Central Prison until his expected parole in February 2024." .......

 

What?