Russian to respect: Phuket hospital calls for law-abiding visitors

Vachira Phuket Hospital called upon the Russian community in Phuket to respect Thai laws and hospital regulations following a string of incidents involving Russian nationals. Recent episodes include a Russian man refusing to settle his medical bills, and a woman threatening hospital staff with a baseball bat.

A man of Russian nationality was arrested on April 19 for intimidating the staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital and declining to pay his outstanding medical bill. The hospital has declared it will not tolerate such conduct.

The letter appealing to the Russian community in Phuket was signed by Methavee Maneesri, the Head of the International Department at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

“Dear Russian Community in Phuket, please find the attached information from the police daily record regarding an incident [that occurred at Vachira Phuket Hospital]. The behaviour described in the report is unacceptable to us. I am ready to assist and cooperate with anyone involved in medical cases, provided they adhere to standard procedures and respect public laws and regulations.”

Methavee stressed the importance of respecting hospital procedures and public laws. She also reminded everyone that healthcare services are not free, encouraging everyone to have medical or work insurance and adhere to the waiting in a queue like Thai nationals do.

The letter, dated April 20, was sent to The Phuket News with a request to share the information in Novosti Phuketa, the Russian-language sister newspaper of The Phuket News.

Outstanding bill

Included with the letter was a copy of a Phuket City Police report corroborating Methavee’s complaint about an incident involving a threatening Russian patient. According to this report and Methavee’s account, a 48 year old Russian patient, Sergey Chent, received treatment on April 17 and left without paying his bill totalling 8,380 baht.

On April 19, Chent returned to Vachira Phuket Hospital for another medical consultation. Methavee and other hospital staff requested him to pay the outstanding bill of 8,380 baht. Chent refused to pay and threatened the staff, bragging about his connections with high-ranking police officers, influence, and wealth. He was accompanied by a woman carrying a baseball bat, according to the police report.

“They also brought weapons, a baseball bat, into the hospital. He displayed threatening behaviour towards the officers and showed that he knew the police and caused chaos within the hospital.”

Police officers from Phuket City Police Station, located about 700 metres from Vachira Phuket Hospital, arrived and restored order. Chent was taken to Phuket City Police Station where he agreed to pay the hospital bill of 8,380 baht. It remains unclear whether the police filed charges against Chent or the woman with the baseball bat.

Methavee, in her official police complaint, demanded legal action against Chent and the woman because of their behaviour at the hospital.

Methavee explained that this incident was not a misunderstanding. She said the Russian man “wanted to scare her, behaved like mafia, claimed to have many businesses in Phuket, and know big people.”

PM visit

“I want to inform the Russian community that its members should not behave like this man. Please, stay in Phuket in peace and maintain good relationships.”

This incident occurred around the same time as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s visit to Region 8 Police Headquarters in Phuket. The 62 year old prime minister emphasised the importance of enforcing laws impartially, particularly against influential foreigners who consider themselves above the law.

“Do not let foreign mafia settle down in your area of responsibility and destroy the investment attractiveness of the region. Ask local officials and politicians to keep an eye on foreigners. Do not let misbehaving foreigners destroy your credibility.

“Nowadays, society places more importance on the issue of foreign businesspeople coming to operate in the area illegally. Please ramp up the inspections and do your job with tourism confidence in mind. I am specifically entrusting you to deal with those ‘big people’ demonstrating mafia behaviour. Don’t limit your effort to catching small fish only. The law must be enforced correctly, fairly, and strictly.”

Prime Minister Srettha was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police General Kitirath Panphet; Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, and Commissioner of the Tourist Police Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueakam.