Medical Council of Thailand’s New Regulation Warns Doctors Against False Clinic Endorsements

In an unprecedented move that could send ripples through Thailand’s medical community, the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) has issued a stern warning to doctors who lend their names to endorse medical clinics without actively working there. This new regulation, which is set to come into effect on February 9, is a reaction to recent revelations and is intended to uphold strictly ethical practices in the country’s medical profession.

It all began with the case of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who found herself under public scrutiny when her 126 million baht asset declaration unveiled that she earned 210,000 baht annually merely from having her name used on a clinic’s signboard where she neither worked nor visited. The news has stirred quite a conversation, raising the question of ethical endorsements among the medical community.

Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, who serves as the Assistant Secretary at the MCT, has been the harbinger of this regulatory overhaul. Bringing clarity to the situation, he emphasized that such endorsements are in clear violation of disciplinary rules and are outright illegal under the impending regulations. The consequences? Doctors could face suspension of their medical licenses for a year, or even permanent revocation if they continue to flout these rules.

Interestingly, it’s not just the senate member who’s on the radar. Many other doctors are reportedly engaging in similar practices, picking up hefty monthly payments of up to 50,000 baht just for the use of their names. While some plead ignorance, alleging they were misinformed by recruiters, the MCT remains unsympathetic. The message is clear: reclaim your names and secure your careers or risk facing the music.

Dr. Arkhom Praditsuwan, the Deputy Director of the Department of Health Service Support, couldn’t have been more forthright when he reiterated the necessity for every medical professional to comply with the Medical Facilities Act of 1998. He made it abundantly clear that if a doctor’s name appears on a clinic’s sign, they better be working there. But it’s not just the doctors who face the consequences. Those behind the scenes, the clinic owners and managers, aren’t off the hook either. They are liable for fines up to 40,000 baht and could serve up to five years in prison if caught and convicted.

Amidst these developments, an unsettling scam surfaced, reminding everyone of the dangers lurking around. Evidently, a con artist masqueraded as a doctor and approached a new Thai mother, requesting explicit images of her post-birth wounds. Luckily, the victim refused to comply, but the incident was enough to prompt a public warning from Doctor Pemika Clinic in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. This revelation underscored the clinic’s plea to patients to remain vigilant against impersonators, as one of their female patients nearly fell for this appalling scam.

As the medical community braces itself for these changes, the regulation ushers a new era of accountability and trust in Thailand’s healthcare system. It’s a call to action not just for practitioners and clinic owners but also a reminder for the public to be cautious of unsavory elements disguised as professionals.

Meanwhile, much is happening in Thailand that one might be oblivious to amidst the medical maelstrom. From environmental disasters like the smoke crisis in Phuket, where violators risk two decades of imprisonment, to the latest phenomenal personal stories, like a Thai hotel owner reconnecting a lost wedding ring with its Norwegian owner after five long years. The intertwining tales unfold against a backdrop of substantial news ranging from crime, politics, and more—each as compelling as the next in the mosaic tapestry that is Thailand’s current affair landscape.