Thai doctor faces probe over private practice while on state pay

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry launched an investigation into allegations concerning a doctor at a state-run hospital, who is reportedly practising at multiple private hospitals despite receiving extra pay for signing a non-competition clause in his contract.

Dr Sawat Apiwachaneewong, the Public Health Ministry inspector at Participatory Health Region 12, confirmed that the Yala Provincial Public Health Office had set up a committee on September 10 to investigate the claims.

The specialist physician in question works at Yala Hospital, according to a post by the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) on the Watchdog Operation page on Facebook. The post did not disclose the doctor’s name.

The doctor had signed a non-competition clause in his contract, which entitles doctors who agree to refrain from practising at private clinics and hospitals to a monthly incentive of 10,000 baht. However, the ACT post alleged that the doctor’s profile appeared on the websites of three different private hospitals.

As a result, the doctor reportedly received an additional 120,000 baht in incentives last year and 30,000 baht this year to date, according to the ACT’s post.

The post sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many netizens calling for harsh penalties, arguing that such practices contribute to long waiting times at public hospitals.

Dr Sawat stated that the committee is gathering evidence and will summon the doctor and others involved for questioning today, reported Bangkok Post.

“If the investigation finds the doctor has breached his employment contract, he will be ordered to refund double the amount of incentives received, plus 15% interest per annum from the month he breached the contract.”

In related news, a 55 year old former navy officer has been apprehended in Bangkok for practicing medicine without a valid licence for the past two decades. The ex-navy officer was detained at a clinic on Phetchaburi Soi 31 in the Ratchathewi district on September 6, according to the Metropolitan Police Bureau.