Council meeting scheduled for June 12 concerning Thaksin's physician controversy
The Medical Council of Thailand has convened an urgent meeting of its board members on June 12, following the veto by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin of the council's decision to sanction three doctors associated with Thaksin Shinawatra.
Secretary-General ACM Ittaporn Kanacharoen confirmed the gathering, scheduled for June 12, to address the veto by the minister, who serves as the honorary president. All 35 elected board members have agreed to attend, with the council contacting the members appointed by position for confirmation.
The council consists of 70 members divided equally between those elected by members and those appointed by position. The latter group includes several senior officials at the Public Health Ministry and deans of medical schools. The council requires at least two-thirds, or 47 votes, to overrule the minister's veto.
On May 8, the council resolved to suspend the licenses of two senior doctors at Police General Hospital and issue a warning to a third at Corrections Department Hospital. The doctors were accused of misrepresenting Thaksin's health conditions, allowing him to stay on the hospital's 14th floor instead of serving jail time.
Minister Somsak, a key figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party led by Thaksin's daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn, has drawn criticism for vetoing the decision. Critics view this as an attempt to protect Thaksin, while supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy accuse the minister of interfering with the Medical Council, a professional organization.
Public Health Ministry spokeswoman Treechaa Srithada has downplayed the criticism, asserting that all those expressing disapproval are opponents of Thaksin and the red-shirt movement. The controversy adds to the political debate surrounding Thaksin's lengthy stay at the hospital.
[1] Medical Council sanctions three doctors associated with Thaksin Shinawatra, [Url][2] Thaksin stays at Police General Hospital as a sanctuary, [Url][3] Thaksin's political influence and hospital stay, [Url][4] Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin rejects Medical Council's decision, [Url][5] Critics view veto as strategic interference to safeguard Thaksin's interests, [Url]
- Despite facing criticism for interfering with the Medical Council, a professional organization, Thai Minister Somsak Thepsuthin's veto has led to a debate about politics and medical-conditions, particularly concerning Thaksin Shinawatra's ongoing hospital stay.
- As science and general-news outlets cover the Medical Council's sanctions against three doctors linked to Thaksin Shinawatra, the political implications of Thaksin's medical-conditions and the potential influence on the council's decisions continue to be debated.
