Thai dentist faces bankruptcy lawsuit filed by the OAG

[webfact]

Dentist faces bankruptcy lawsuit filed by the OAG



BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Attorney-General has filed a bankruptcy lawsuit against the dentist who refused to return home to fulfil her scholarship obligations after completing her Master’s and PhD studies at Harvard University.

Ms Arporn Kaenwong, secretary-general of the Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC), told a press conference on Wednesday that the OAG lodged the lawsuit with the Central Bankruptcy Court last December 21 after her office sent the case to the OAG last September 24.

She said that the dentist, Ms Dolrudee Jumlongras, owes OHEC altogether 30 million baht for the costs of the overseas studies plus fines and 7 percent interest thereon and the amount is growing.

Prior to taking the case to the OAG, Ms Arporn said that her office asked Mahidol University where the dentist worked before leaving for the United States for her post-graduate studies to check whether she holds any assets in Thailand. It was discovered that she has no assets and,therefore, her office proceeded to take legal action against her.

However, she pointed out that the Thai court could do nothing against Ms Dolrudee unless she returns home or unless she is extradited back to face the lawsuit.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/149407

-- Thai PBS 2016-02-04

[neverdie]

30 million baht - what the hell. Some serious overseas studies there.

[rkidlad]

"However, she pointed out that the Thai court could do nothing against Ms Dolrudee unless she returns home or unless she is extradited back to face the lawsuit"

oooh! This woman is in deep, deep trouble. Or, these are just empty threats that won't work on someone with even quarter of a brain.

She's a dentist. Not some local numpty who buys the BS they're selling.

Edited February 4, 2016 by rkidlad

[ratcatcher]

[davidst01]

dolrudee.png

one day she will come back on an american passport. no one will know.

I hope that she reads my message. When she does all I can say to you is that you are a dodgy criminal. I hope that the American television stations turn up at your house this week. When the tabloid tv stations get hold of this story one can only hope that the 'witch hunt' will start. You have put a price on your reputation. yours is 30mill.

Edited February 4, 2016 by davidst01

[MrJohnson]

According to my staff, it has has just been announced she has agreed to pay back the money after a senior academic from Harvard University publicly criticized her actions. Let's wait and see if she pays up.

[kimamey]

I don't now about the regulations in the US but in the UK I'm fairly certain a "fitness to practice" case could be brought against her.

As I say I don't know if this is possible in the US but I wouldn't be surprised if something similar could be tried at least.

[Reigntax]

dolrudee.png

one day she will come back on an american passport. no one will know

Yes, then have her photo taken in front of the AG's office and post it on facebook stating, "How long do you expect me to wait to be arrested. Next time I'll call first.. maybe".

[neverdie]

According to my staff, it has has just been announced she has agreed to pay back the money after a senior academic from Harvard University publicly criticized her actions. Let's wait and see if she pays up.

Yes, because all junior dentists fresh out of Uni have a lazy 30 million baht just to throw at their fees, which were dreamt up.

30 million baht. I wound if they will give her a 29,999,000 baht discount if she pays early?

I wonder if she can pay with 7 Eleven stamps?

It's laughable really.

[LannaGuy]

it's simple she took the 'deal' to study at Harvard now she wants to do the 'Thainess' thing and renege and say how 'poor' she is bla bla bla

[kkerry]

According to my staff, it has has just been announced she has agreed to pay back the money after a senior academic from Harvard University publicly criticized her actions. Let's wait and see if she pays up.

Yes, because all junior dentists fresh out of Uni have a lazy 30 million baht just to throw at their fees, which were dreamt up.

30 million baht. I wound if they will give her a 29,999,000 baht discount if she pays early?

I wonder if she can pay with 7 Eleven stamps?

It's laughable really.

Except it wasn't 30 million at the beginning, more like 8 million. The extra is made up of a penalty for not returning to Thailand to work for her Thai university as she agreed, plus interest. Apparently she signed off on the deal then reneged when in America so it's her own fault it's now blown out to 30 million.

[neverdie]

According to my staff, it has has just been announced she has agreed to pay back the money after a senior academic from Harvard University publicly criticized her actions. Let's wait and see if she pays up.

Yes, because all junior dentists fresh out of Uni have a lazy 30 million baht just to throw at their fees, which were dreamt up.

30 million baht. I wound if they will give her a 29,999,000 baht discount if she pays early?

I wonder if she can pay with 7 Eleven stamps?

It's laughable really.

Except it wasn't 30 million at the beginning, more like 8 million. The extra is made up of a penalty for not returning to Thailand to work for her Thai university as she agreed, plus interest. Apparently she signed off on the deal then reneged when in America so it's her own fault it's now blown out to 30 million.

Seems like a really harsh penalty even at 8 million baht, although the apparent late fees of 22 million baht or however it ended u at 30 seem a bit extreme too.

She will be pulling teeth @ 100 baht a tooth for a thousand years.

55555555

[lujanit]

You all need to take a deep breath and step back from your keyboards. Read the other thread and read what she tells the Nation. This matter has a long active history and has not come to the fore in the last week or so.

[Kasset Tak]

According to my staff, it has has just been announced she has agreed to pay back the money after a senior academic from Harvard University publicly criticized her actions. Let's wait and see if she pays up.

Yes, because all junior dentists fresh out of Uni have a lazy 30 million baht just to throw at their fees, which were dreamt up.

30 million baht. I wound if they will give her a 29,999,000 baht discount if she pays early?

I wonder if she can pay with 7 Eleven stamps?

It's laughable really.

She us not fresh out of Uni... it's 21 years sins she left for US!

And just the compound interest for 8 million million Baht at 6,5% interest (same as a US student loan) over 21 years would be more than 20 million so 30 million is not really just picked out of the blue when you also start adding the fees...

[neverdie]

According to my staff, it has has just been announced she has agreed to pay back the money after a senior academic from Harvard University publicly criticized her actions. Let's wait and see if she pays up.

Yes, because all junior dentists fresh out of Uni have a lazy 30 million baht just to throw at their fees, which were dreamt up.

30 million baht. I wound if they will give her a 29,999,000 baht discount if she pays early?

I wonder if she can pay with 7 Eleven stamps?

It's laughable really.

She us not fresh out of Uni... it's 21 years sins she left for US!

And just the compound interest for 8 million million Baht at 6,5% interest (same as a US student loan) over 21 years would be more than 20 million so 30 million is not really just picked out of the blue when you also start adding the fees...

Okay dokie. I still think it's a bit harsh, especially when you consider all the tax payer funds that have magically disappeared over the years at the hands of all the various 'officials' most of which are roaming around places like Dubai and so forth without a care in the world. Cough cough.

Obviously there are rules for some and then there's rules for others. I can't imagine they are going to get their 30 million baht in a hurry.

[Prbkk]

Deadbeat ratbag.

[tubby johnson]

Her nickname is Porsche.

Guess what she bought with her scholarship grant?

[bark]

Most student loans in Canada and the USA that are not paid back or slowly paid back; are Doctors, Dentists and Lawyers.

[SOTIRIOS]

...bankruptcy help her NOT pay....

...how about seizing her salary and her assets....

[NickJ]

Can't she has not broken any US laws...

Edited February 4, 2016 by NickJ

[scorecard]

Any further details about Harvard talking to her?

[Ulic]

It is very hard to get away with not paying in the US. You are not saved by bankruptcy

laws. And if you die the person who co-signed the loan will have to paw. Not sure what

the cost was 20 years ago but the cost to attend Harvard now as a graduate foreign

student is pushing 50K US a year. No chance she is coming back, but on the off chance

she returns to visit family they may as well file. She really is a deadbeat.

[bitcoinforever]

she has not intention of ever returning to Thailand, she is making great money, no sexism, she can rise to whatever position she wants in America. has a U.S. passport already--- burned that red passport the day she left. The only way is for them to file a judgement against her in the state of Mass. otherwise they will never see any of that cash. she is making at a minimum of 300k a year that is on the low end .

[Morakot]

Most student loans in Canada and the USA that are not paid back or slowly paid back; are Doctors, Dentists and Lawyers.

Most of these "loans" in Thailand are not meant to be paid back. They are meant to bind people to the funding institution (and also to prevent a "brain drain"). The binding in her case was around two decades.

Apparently the T&C for her "loan" stipulated in case of resigning from the binding contract that she repays the full amount (30M THB) within 30 days.

[Morakot]

I don't now about the regulations in the US but in the UK I'm fairly certain a "fitness to practice" case could be brought against her.

I'd be surprised that --either in the UK or US-- this could be a case of "fitness to practice". A case of breaking a "contract" that stipulates one must work for an institution for twenty years or pay back in full within 30 days, signed by a person who was very likely a minor at the time.

Common law certainly would not see this as a contract and any ethical committee would have to bend over backwards to uphold any such case.

[NeverSure]

I don't think the US legal system has jurisdiction over a debt owed in Thailand. Owing money isn't a crime anyway in this case. It's a civil matter between the parties. I really don't think Harvard can do anything if she paid her fees to them. I don't think anyone in the US can do anything except make noise.

Many Thais don't like living in any foreign country but once she found herself in the upper middle class in the US (which includes attending Harvard) she might have loved it. She's standing in tall cotton in a clean first world country even compared to most Americans.

I have to wonder why she was funded to go to Harvard when there are so many cheaper medical/dental schools in the US or Europe that are probably just as good.

[Mr Money Bags]

I don't think the US legal system has jurisdiction over a debt owed in Thailand. Owing money isn't a crime anyway in this case. It's a civil matter between the parties. I really don't think Harvard can do anything if she paid her fees to them. I don't think anyone in the US can do anything except make noise.

Many Thais don't like living in any foreign country but once she found herself in the upper middle class in the US (which includes attending Harvard) she might have loved it. She's standing in tall cotton in a clean first world country even compared to most Americans.

I have to wonder why she was funded to go to Harvard when there are so many cheaper medical/dental schools in the US or Europe that are probably just as good.

Could not agree more, and your legal perspective is spot on.

She will NOT escape karma, though......

You're Welcome!!

[kimamey]

I don't now about the regulations in the US but in the UK I'm fairly certain a "fitness to practice" case could be brought against her.

I'd be surprised that --either in the UK or US-- this could be a case of "fitness to practice". A case of breaking a "contract" that stipulates one must work for an institution for twenty years or pay back in full within 30 days, signed by a person who was very likely a minor at the time.

Common law certainly would not see this as a contract and any ethical committee would have to bend over backwards to uphold any such case.

There is a section in the UK General Dental Council's "Standards for Dental Professionals" that states "Maintain appropriate standards in all walks of life so that patients have confidence in you and the dental profession."

I haven't had time to check though all the cases to find an example although I have heard of surgeons apparently being reported to the GDC for non payment of bills. I know a surgeon I worked for some time ago who had a conviction for not abiding by a nuisance abatement notice taken into consideration in a fitness to practice hearing. To be fair this only formed party of the case against her.

Whilst it may not result in suspension even the fact that there is a hearing could damage her reputation. It's just a possibility. Other than that even if she is outside the jurisdiction of the Thai authorities their action would at least prevent the embarrassing situation of her returning but nothing happening to her.

[ldiablo]

She claims in a letter to the nation that it was always her intention to pay back the loan. I call <deleted>. If you never made a payment in 20 years you had no intention of making a payment.

She also claims that the University would not work with her and allow her more time to pay.

If she had made some attempts and sent some certified cheques at varying times I'm pretty sure the university would have accepted some payment vs none at all.