PHUKET, THAILAND – A Taiwanese man was arrested in Wichit on Phuket during a raid on a suspected unlicensed dental clinic, facing four charges including operating a medical facility and performing dentistry without valid authorization.
Joint raid on clinic behind shopping mall
The operation took place on 12 February at about 6:10 p.m., according to police, in a joint action by Wichit Police and the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO). Police commander Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, head of Wichit Police, led the raid on the Sunrise Smile Dental Clinic on the second floor of a plaza located behind the Central Festival Phuket shopping centre.
Patients waiting as cleaning in progress
When officers entered the premises, they found several Thai and foreign customers waiting in the reception area for treatment. In the treatment room, officers discovered the man later identified as Ling Tung, 35, a Taiwanese national, wearing medical clothing while he was carrying out a dental cleaning on a patient.
Missing papers and immediate arrest
Police halted the procedure and ordered the man to present both a dental licence and the official operating permit for the clinic. As he was unable to show any valid documents, according to investigators, he was arrested on the spot and taken to Wichit Police Station for further processing.
Four alleged offences under Thai law
During the initial questioning, Ling told police he was a dentist trained in Taiwan, but admitted he did not hold a Thai dental licence or a work permit and said he was in the process of applying. He now faced four accusations, including operating a medical facility without a licence, practising dentistry without authorization, and working without permission as a foreigner with temporary residency status.
Complaints triggered investigation
According to police, the investigation began after the PPHO forwarded complaints about a foreign dentist allegedly practising illegally in Wichit. In connection with the case, Pol Col Somsak urged patients to use only approved providers, stating:
“To avoid health and legal risks, treatments should be carried out exclusively in licensed medical facilities.”
said Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, Wichit Police chief.