12-7-2024 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities have cracked down on a network of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics in Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi provinces, resulting in the arrest of six individuals posing as doctors.
The raids, conducted by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), targeted five locations across the two central provinces following complaints from public health officials and local residents about unqualified individuals performing cosmetic and medical treatments.
“Officers raided clinics at five locations in the two central provinces following complaints from public health officials and local residents that unqualified people were performing cosmetic and medical treatments,” said Pol Maj Gen Witthaya Sriprasertparb, commander of the CPPD.
Among those apprehended was 53-year-old Supakjira Thammachan, who claimed to be a doctor providing treatment at a clinic in Talaad Thai, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that Supakjira had only completed high school and did not possess a medical practitioner’s license.
The raids also targeted a cosmetic treatment clinic on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road and a medical clinic in Tambon Ban Mai, both in Pathum Thani, as well as a medical clinic in Tambon Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, and a spa shop in Tambon Lam Pak Kud, Pathum Thani. In total, six individuals – four women and two men – were arrested, and 29 pieces of evidence were seized.
“The officers examined the suspects’ education certificates and found that one person had completed junior secondary level from a non-formal education school, one held a certificate from a vocational college, one held a bachelor’s degree in nursing and one had a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. The last person held a bachelor’s degree in computer science but had also studied to be a nursing assistant,” said Pol Col Veeraphong Khlaithon, superintendent of CPPD sub-division 4.
Supakjira and the other five suspects – Sonthaya Tangprasert, 54; Ekkaphop Thamthinno, 63; Romchalee Nakham, 40; Oraphin Pinjai, 33; and Jintana Prahusri, 39 – were charged with working as doctors without licenses. Some faced additional charges of running medical clinics without proper authorization.
