Lopburi: "Big Tao" spearheads a multi-agency interrogation of over 50 patients at the Veterans Hospital in Lopburi Province, amid allegations of corruption and human trafficking related to the misuse of medical treatment rights. The investigation aims to identify and prosecute those orchestrating the scheme behind the scenes.
According to Thai News Agency, the probe involves collaboration between the NACC investigators, the NACC, and the War Veterans Organization of Thailand. They have questioned patients whose names are listed in the hospital's medical records. The inquiry has uncovered suspicions of corruption involving medicines and medical supplies at the facility from 2017 to the present. The investigation has revealed that some patients, both those with genuine ailments and those who were not actually sick, received medical treatment and supplies improperly.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, along with other officials such as Pol. Lt. Col. Siripong Sritula and Mr. Suksan Prasara-ae, stated that summonses have been issued for over 80 individuals to provide statements. So far, 30 people have been questioned, with more expected to come forward. The interrogation process is divided into 6-7 groups and is projected to conclude within 2-3 days.
The initial group being questioned includes ex-war veterans and family members who are reportedly poor and lack knowledge. The findings from this inquiry will be used to expand the investigation to higher supervisory levels. The investigation suggests potential human trafficking charges due to the alleged manipulation of patients' health conditions as part of the fraud scheme. Further investigations are planned for other hospitals after discovering that the corruption extends to other state and military medical facilities.
The NACC has described the scheme at the Veterans Hospital as extensive, implicating over 1,000 individuals, including more than 100 civil servants. However, some of these individuals may have been unwitting victims of their superiors' plans.
Ms. Patchanee, who helped expose the operation, disclosed that she had gathered evidence over six months and presented it to a military committee. The investigation has so far only involved one of the six groups identified, with threats reportedly made to patients by team leaders of the other groups to destroy evidence and avoid prosecution. The irregularities include patients receiving treatment for chronic diseases at state hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health while exploiting their rights to obtain unlisted drugs at the Veterans Hospital, a practice that has persisted for over a decade.