A Thai military medical officer has been arrested for allegedly administering counterfeit influenza vaccines to over 200 military personnel stationed in South Sudan.
On September 2, Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasert directed Police Colonel Manoon Kaewgam to cooperate with Jarong Kraomao, Director of the Bureau of Special Investigations, and Phairoj Niyomdecha, Director of the Investigation and Intelligence Operations Group 2 from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), to carry out the arrest.
The suspect, identified as Lieutenant Chinnawat (also referred to as Borisut, surname withheld), was taken into custody at a petrol station on King Kaew Road in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, under a warrant issued by the Bangkok Military Court on May 30. He is facing charges of official misconduct.
Lt. Chinnawat had served as a doctor at a Thai/South Sudan field hospital, where he allegedly misled over 200 officers and subordinates into receiving what he claimed were influenza vaccines, citing orders from the mission’s senior medical officer. He later sought reimbursement of US$5,800 (about 180,000 baht) from the unit’s commander for the vaccines.
However, investigations later found that the substance administered was not an actual influenza vaccine, but rather a cheaper substitute. The NACC ruled that Lt. Chinnawat’s actions amounted to serious misconduct, leading to the arrest warrant and eventual apprehension.
During questioning, Lt. Chinnawat denied the allegations and chose to remain silent. He was handed over to the Bangkok Military Court prosecutor for further proceedings.
In a related case earlier this year, authorities raided a clinic in Phra Samut Chedi, Samut Prakan, on February 21, arresting a fake doctor caught administering injections to a patient. The operation was led by Nuttanaporn Wongboonkeokul, a provincial pharmacist, alongside Lt. Col. Prayoon Pattanuli and other law enforcement officials.
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about medical fraud and the safety of personnel receiving medical care in conflict zones.
