PATTAYA, THAILAND – Police raided a city‑centre medical facility in broad daylight where patients were paying large sums for treatment while the clinic operated without legal approval.
Raid on downtown clinic
Investigators from Region Two police arrived at 1 p.m. together with officials from the health authority. They inspected the Rak Khao Clinic in central Pattaya after an anonymous tip alerted the agencies.
In the treatment rooms, officers found several patients waiting for assistance. The clinic had heavily promoted procedures on the internet that claimed to treat joint pain and arthrosis without surgery.
Treatment at a high price
One patient told investigators that he discovered the offer via the social network Facebook. He bought a treatment package for the substantial sum of 250,000 baht.
Although he had already completed nine sessions and said his knees felt better, the clinic lacked the required paperwork. For him, the main concern was that the attending doctor was properly qualified.
Doctor and staff detained
During the search, staff were unable to present a valid operating licence for the medical facility. The doctor on site did hold a genuine professional licence but nevertheless had to accompany officers to the police station.
Police provisionally detained three employees and the doctor. All those involved were taken to Bang Lamung Police Station for further questioning.
Warning over patient safety
The health authority issued a strong warning against receiving treatment in facilities without a clear licence. Officials stressed that only state‑approved centres could guarantee patient safety and proper medical standards.
Legal action was initiated against the operators for violations of the clinic law. Additional inspections in the region were planned to prevent such illegal centres from continuing their activities without consequences.
Your opinion
“Would you entrust your health to a doctor whose clinic has no state approval?”
said the report, calling on readers to share their views in the comments.