Bangkok: The Central Investigation Bureau has detained a military doctor accused of injecting soldiers with fake flu vaccines. Lt. Jinnawat, also known as Mr. Borisut, was arrested on charges of corruption and misuse of power, denying all allegations against him.
According to Thai News Agency, the Crime Suppression Division police, in collaboration with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), apprehended the suspect at a gas station in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. He faces charges under Section 172 of the 2018 Organic Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption, with accusations of causing harm through corrupt practices and potential flight risk due to the severity of the charges, which are punishable by imprisonment exceeding three years.
NACC officials coordinated with law enforcement to secure the arrest, following a warrant issued by the Military Court. The charges stem from incidents between February 13 and March 5, 2020, at a field hospital in South Sudan. Lt. Jinnawat allegedly deceived his commanding officers and fellow personnel by promising influenza vaccinations but instead injected uncertified substances, fraudulently withdrawing US$5,800 for these fake vaccines.
The NACC's 32/2024 meeting on March 20, 2024, led to the indictment of Lt. Jinnawat, reinforcing the belief that he might attempt to flee. Despite being summoned to report to the Bangkok Military Court prosecutor in January 2020, and a subsequent summons in February 2025, Lt. Jinnawat failed to appear, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Most recently, authorities received a tip-off about the suspect's plans to visit a gas station in Racha Thewa Subdistrict. Officers acted swiftly, confirming the identity of Lt. Jinnawat before presenting the arrest warrant. He was then taken to Bang Kaeo Police Station and subsequently handed over to the NACC for further legal action.
During initial questioning, Lt. Jinnawat admitted to his deployment in Sudan but denied any involvement with the alleged fake injections. He refrained from providing additional details during his arrest.