Support for alien doctors to work here

BANGKOK: Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan took a lead from the prime minister yesterday and announced she supported making it easier for foreign doctors to work in Thailand.

She said the ministry would propose an amendment of the medical law, which requires doctors to sit a Thai-language examination for their medical practice licence. It should be permissible for doctors to take the examination in English, Mrs Sudarat said.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra supported the idea in his weekly radio talk on Saturday, saying allowing foreign doctors into health care services would help make Thailand a regional medical hub.

Medical Council president Somsak Lohlekha, however, did not think it was necessary. Many Thai doctors spoke good English, he said.

There was no shortage of doctors capable of treating foreigners, because visitors were catered for by private hospitals.

However, there was still a shortage of doctors in rural areas, he sid.

--The Post

I don't know of many foeign doctors that would take the pay cut to work in Thailand which is, afterer all, the second highest paid profession next to lawyers.