Doctors in Thaksin hospital scandal face backlash over proposed promotions

Political activist Dr Tul Sittisomwong will petition the national police chief today, to oppose the promotion of two senior police doctors, who were temporarily suspended for their handling of Thaksin Shinawatra’s controversial stay at the Police General Hospital.

Dr Tul’s petition follows the inclusion on a seniority list of Pol Lt Gen Sophonrat Singhacharu, former chief doctor at the PGH and now assistant national police commissioner, and Pol Lt Gen Thaweesilp Wechvitarn, the current chief doctor, as part of this year second round of promotions.

If approved, Sophonrat will become deputy national police chief, while Thaweesilp will be appointed assistant national police chief in charge of medical affairs.

The list has been made public, to allow those named to file petitions in case of any errors.

Tul said he objects to the promotions on the grounds that both officers were found guilty by the Medical Council of Thailand of violating medical ethics, related to Thaksin’s six-month stay in the hospital..

He also noted that the pair are under criminal investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Despite this, the two officers have, to date, faced no disciplinary action by the police force and have, instead, been included in the list of promotions, according to Dr Tul.

The inclusion of the controversial doctors has sparked criticism and renewed scrutiny over the handling of Thaksin’s hospital stay and the transparency of internal promotions.