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Unlicensed Doctor Thriller: Former Navy Officer Thanaboon Caught in Bangkok Clinic Bust

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Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau swooped into a clinic in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district on Friday evening, homing in on an unexpected discovery—a former navy officer moonlighting as a doctor without a medical licence. Captured in the act, the 55-year-old man, identified only as Thanaboon, was ushered away in handcuffs. (Photo: Metropolitan Police Bureau IDMB Facebook)

In a twist that could be straight out of a suspense novel, this rogue medic has been masquerading as a legitimate doctor for two whole decades! The arrest took place at a clinic nestled in Phetchaburi Soi 31, sparking a buzz across the neighborhood. The Metropolitan Police Bureau reported that Thanaboon, an anomaly in an otherwise tranquil clinic, had managed to fool both patients and authorities alike.

The drama unfolded when a local resident raised the alarm about a suspicious bunch of “fake doctors” purportedly offering abortion services at clinics sprawled along Phetchaburi Road. Deciding to investigate, the officers paid an unannounced visit, only to catch Thanaboon red-handed, poised to give an injection to an unsuspecting patient. Assisting him was a nurse from Myanmar, lending an international twist to the unfolding saga. Despite Thanaboon’s initial claims of possessing a valid medical licence, a quick search of the Medical Council of Thailand’s online database revealed otherwise.

His façade crumbled as he finally conceded to his deceit. Astonishingly, Thanaboon admitted he had been conducting medical activities without proper credentials since 2004. For over a decade, he had been running this covert operation in Phetchaburi Soi 31.

The seemingly endless supply of shocking revelations continued as officers explored the clinic further. The patient rooms on the upper floors were found in disarray and disrepair. But the real jaw-dropper? Several images on Thanaboon’s mobile phone showcasing pelvic ultrasound results and even photos of patients in the throes of childbirth!

And what’s Thanaboon’s backstory, you ask? He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and midwifery, earned back in 1989. He then took an intriguing detour by becoming an officer with the navy medical corps, stationed at a hospital in Sattahip district, Chon Buri. In a bit of a plot twist, he confessed his clandestine career began as a bid to boost his income. He ventured into moonlighting as an underground doctor at various medical clinics starting in 2004.

This wasn’t his first brush with the law either. Thanaboon was initially apprehended in 2009 for illegally carrying out abortions. He got bailed out but managed to slip through the legal net until the case expired, after which he left the navy. With a knack for evasion and a brazen disregard for legal repercussions, he continued to administer medical services for two decades without any authorization, relying purely on the knowledge he accumulated during his time as a navy officer.

The revelations have sent ripples through the community and medical fraternity alike, leaving many to ponder just how he managed to elude detection for so long. For now, Thanaboon’s chapter as an unlicensed medic has come to an abrupt end, opening up layers of questions and backstories that could fill several more pages.

37 Comments

  1. Tom P September 7, 2024

    How did this guy slip through the cracks for 20 years? It makes me question the oversight on medical licenses.

    • Lisa Nelson September 7, 2024

      It’s terrifying to think about. I can’t believe patients didn’t catch on sooner.

      • Tom P September 7, 2024

        True. But I guess ordinary people don’t think to verify their doctor’s credentials?

      • Dr. Amy September 7, 2024

        Patients often trust too easily. This highlights a massive gap in our healthcare system.

    • SmartAlec September 7, 2024

      Maybe it’s because he was good at it? Sometimes experience trumps paper.

  2. grower134 September 7, 2024

    20 years!!! If he did a good job, does it even matter? Results are what count.

    • John Q September 7, 2024

      That’s dangerous thinking. The standards are there for a reason. What if something went wrong?

      • grower134 September 7, 2024

        Nothing went wrong for 20 years! Maybe he’s better than some licensed doctors.

      • Kelly H. September 7, 2024

        He got caught doing illegal abortions in 2009. Clearly, ethical lines were crossed.

    • mathguy September 7, 2024

      Ethics and legalities aside, he was still breaking the law.

  3. Samantha September 7, 2024

    What about the nurse from Myanmar? Was she also practicing illegally?

    • Elaine J. September 7, 2024

      Probably, but she might be a victim in all this too. Desperation can make people do unethical things.

    • Tom P September 7, 2024

      Good point, Samantha. It makes you think about the complexities of human behavior in dire situations.

  4. doctorX September 7, 2024

    As a legitimate doctor, I am disgusted. This individual undermines the trust in our profession.

    • Heather B September 7, 2024

      Exactly! It’s hard enough to build trust with patients. This makes it worse for everyone.

    • rebelnurse September 7, 2024

      These scandals are also a reminder of how bureaucracy sometimes fails. Maybe the system’s broken?

  5. investigator56 September 7, 2024

    How many more ‘Thanaboons’ could be out there? This needs a broader investigation!

  6. Natalie September 7, 2024

    This story feels like it’s straight out of a medical drama. Unbelievable that he got away for so long!

    • Mark W September 7, 2024

      Right? Real life really is stranger than fiction sometimes.

    • Craig H. September 7, 2024

      I bet Netflix picks this up next. ‘The Unlicensed Doctor’ coming soon!

  7. science_guru September 7, 2024

    This might expose deeper issues in the healthcare system, not just in Thailand but globally.

    • SavvySteve September 7, 2024

      Agreed. How can this happen for decades without being detected? It’s systemic failure.

  8. doctoroftruth September 7, 2024

    It’s all fun and games until someone dies because of his incompetence. Lucky no tragedies reported, but that’s not justification.

    • Karen M September 7, 2024

      Totally agree. It’s scary to think what could have happened.

  9. Laura September 7, 2024

    I’m curious if any of his patients suspected anything at all. Were they just that naive or desperate?

  10. science_guru September 7, 2024

    This reminds me of the impostors you hear about in other sectors too. Institutions need better vetting processes.

    • FastEddie September 7, 2024

      Yeah, but why wasn’t he vetted sooner? That’s the million-dollar question.

      • science_guru September 7, 2024

        Better late than never, I suppose. Still, heads should roll for this oversight.

  11. BigBob September 7, 2024

    What’s scarier is how many more fake doctors might be out there. Seriously, this is just one they caught!

    • Blake C. September 7, 2024

      Exactly. It’s like the tip of the iceberg. The real numbers could be shocking.

    • Gabe T September 7, 2024

      We definitely need more accountability and transparency in the healthcare system.

  12. Tom P September 7, 2024

    The legal and ethical lapses here are just mind-boggling. What’s the Navy’s role in all this? They trained him!

  13. Emily_L September 7, 2024

    I feel awful for the patients. Imagine finding out your trusted doctor isn’t actually licensed. Nightmare!

  14. Sammy September 7, 2024

    Interesting that he has a background in nursing and midwifery. Makes me wonder just how much he knew.

  15. TrueBeliever September 7, 2024

    This man started with good intentions, perhaps? Just got caught up in a system that failed him.

    • Kelly H. September 7, 2024

      Good intentions don’t excuse 20 years of deceit and illegal medical practice!

    • TrueBeliever September 7, 2024

      You’re right, Kelly. But it does make you think… could the system have helped him do things the right way?

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