Two bogus doctors are seen during a raid on a cosmetic treatment clinic in an image that paints a stark picture of deception and illegal practice. In a robust operation sweeping across Rayong, Phuket, and Phangnga, a total of six unregistered medical practitioners along with a clinic operator were taken into custody. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Authorities disclosed on Wednesday that these arrests were the result of comprehensive raids conducted by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) alongside health officials targeting unregistered medical and cosmetic clinics. The crackdown spanned across multiple locations, including three clinics in Rayong and one in the picturesque island of Phuket.
Pol Maj Gen Witthaya Sriprasertparp, the commendable commander of the CPPD, reported that during these meticulous operations, six individuals were detained. Among them were five unlicensed doctors and a clinic owner, whose shady practices had been under the radar. The quintet of women posing as doctors were identified as Chanapha Fongmek, 31; Wanwisa Raksakhom, 28; Yupha Budsadee, 34; Sunida Pranee, 39; and Panida Boonkerd, 31. Interestingly, the clinic operator’s identity remains shrouded in anonymity.
Charges against this illicit gang include practicing without a valid practitioner’s license, the unlawful use of unregistered medicines, and the dangerous application of cosmetic products via injections. In a swooping confiscation spree, officers seized over 200 items valued around 280,000 baht. These items ranged from dubious medicines and cosmetic products to unauthorized medical equipment, all sourced from the four compromised clinics.
The saga doesn’t end here. The operation took a riveting turn in Phangnga province, where law enforcement teamed up with public health officials for another significant bust. A local man named Aying Sae Chen, 61, and a stateless individual, was nabbed. Claiming to be a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, Aying had been administering treatments—a supposed ancestral knowledge passed down through generations—in Muang district. His arsenal of acupuncture equipment was among the many items confiscated from his establishment.
Questioning revealed a murky practice. Aying admitted to having operated his makeshift clinic for three years. However, it was not smooth sailing for his patients. Complaints led to his arrest, with several individuals reporting horrid side effects such as heart palpitations, anaemia, and worrying swellings around acupuncture sites. This dire situation exemplifies the risk taken by those seeking unlicensed, and thus potentially unsafe, medical treatments.
As these tales of deceit and danger unfold, the work of the CPPD stands out as a beacon of promise for those seeking safe, certified medical care. Steps taken against such unregistered practitioners not only uphold legal standards but also protect unsuspecting patients from the looming threats of unauthorized medical interventions. With continued vigilance and resolute action, authorities aim to weed out such misleading practices, ensuring that healthcare remains a realm of trust and credibility.
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