Pill-shocked: War veterans’ hospital in prescription bribery scandal
In a bombshell revelation that has rocked Thailand, the War Veterans Organisation of Thailand (WVO) has lodged a damning complaint with the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), claiming that 20 government employees are knee-deep in a bribery scheme tangled up with drug prescriptions at the Veterans General Hospital.
The explosive allegations were brought to light by WVO chief General Detnithit Luang-Ngam, and keen-eyed People’s Party MP Tanadej Pengsuk. Together, they delivered the blistering complaint to Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Bhumivisan Kasemsook, the Secretary General of the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).
Tanadej, who also acts as a deputy on the House committee for military affairs, took to Facebook to drop a bombshell: a recent probe has fingered over 100 culprits in this sordid scheme, causing damage that spirals into millions of baht.
General Detnithit revealed that the WVO has been working hand in glove with the PACC on this relentless probe, reported Bangkok Post. Findings suggest the bribery plot has been simmering for at least a decade, orchestrated by a no-good cabal of around 20 government insiders, both working and retired.
The general quickly sniffed out the dodgy dealings. He noticed a curious trend: vans from Lop Buri province offloading regular batches of patients, each popping up monthly for the suspect prescriptions.
Hardliner Bhumivisan from the PACC vows that the investigation will bulldoze ahead, with no stone left unturned, regardless of any military involvement.
“We’ve got our eyes on everyone, from top brass to the very bottom. Those involved in the scheme should come forward before further accusations arise.”
How this saga unfolds could have seismic repercussions on the halls of power.
Last month the Veterans General Hospital suspended a female doctor from her medical duties amid an investigation into allegations of selling medication outside the hospital. The hospital assures a fair inquiry for all parties involved.
The incident came to light when Thanadet Phengsuk, a Bangkok Member of Parliament from the People’s Party and deputy chairperson of the Military Commission, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter). The message condemned the unethical actions of a senior military doctor affiliated with the Veterans Hospital.
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