Bangkok: A physical therapy clinic located in Soi Sukhumvit 18 has come under scrutiny after a search revealed the name "Dr. Air" linked to the clinic. The clinic staff have stated they were unaware of any drug ordering activities associated with the name.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Bodin Roikrong, Deputy Superintendent 1 of Narcotics Suppression Bureau 1, led the search team into the clinic. Inside, they found 10 professional licenses displayed, including six physical therapy licenses and four medical licenses. Among these was Dr. Air's professional license, indicating her involvement in the medical field. A notice at the clinic informed visitors that Dr. Air was on leave.
Staff members at the clinic explained that doctors typically handle prescriptions independently, with staff only responsible for signing for medicine deliveries and leaving them as directed. They emphasized that they were not aware of any orders placed by Dr. Air and that the clinic did not require the medicines allegedly ordered. The staff also noted that Dr. Air was a part-time doctor who had not been scheduled to work this year, with her last shift taking place the previous year where she conducted physical examinations and issued general medical certificates.
The search did not uncover any illegal items such as alprazolam. However, reports from the investigation team suggested that Dr. Air acquired drugs from the FDA using the credentials of doctors across 12 clinics, claiming the drugs were intended for psychiatric treatment. Although the clinic specializes in physical therapy, regulations permit registered medical facilities to offer varied services, including psychiatric treatment if a psychiatrist is present. The investigation aims to determine whether the clinics were indeed treating psychiatric patients.
It was discovered that the FDA delivered medicines to the clinics, where they remained for only a few hours before being collected by a rider and transported to a police flat that was searched the previous day.