Bangkok: The Anti-Corruption Commission is preparing to mobilize investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau to jointly investigate the drug and medical supply corruption case at the Veterans Hospital. They are also preparing to go to Lopburi to question over 100 patients to determine if they are genuine patients who need the drugs in the near future.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, reported progress on the corruption case involving drugs and medical supplies at the Veterans Hospital. A meeting was held with Gen. Decha Nithit Leungngamkham, director of the War Veterans Organization, Dr. Jittima Preecha, director of the Veterans Hospital, and Mr. Phumiwisan Kasemsukh, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), along with NACC officials. The meeting focused on prosecution and investigation guidelines for individuals involved in the drug corruption network, dividing them into three groups: patients, command level officials, and government officials.
The investigation team from the Central Investigation Bureau has been fully mobilized to expedite the case, which has been ongoing for a long time. They plan to meet to establish a framework for their work, including setting question guidelines and examining medical records to verify the authenticity of patients and their medication needs. Following this, the Central Investigation Bureau will question hundreds of individuals in Lopburi Province, aiming to complete this within two days.
The initial investigation indicates that this case involves a large-scale crime, with involvement from soldiers, doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and patients. While the destination of the drugs is known to the police, they are not disclosing this information at the moment.
Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat also mentioned that some perpetrators continued their activities in other hospitals, prompting the Central Investigation Bureau to extend their investigation. It is suspected that similar crimes have occurred in other state hospitals.