Anutin maintains investigation into Dr Charnchai’s accusation will be just and fair
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted on Wednesday (June 17) that the investigation into the transfer of Khon Kaen Hospital’s former director Dr Charnchai Chanvorachaikul will be completely fair.
Earlier this month, Charnchai was accused of demanding 5 per cent commission from a pharmaceutical firm, and Dr Pitakpol Boonyamalik was instructed to look into the allegations.
Dr Kriangsak Watcharanukulkiat, previously the director of Prapokklao Hospital in Chanthaburi, had been brought in to replace Charnchai.
Anutin said Charnchai’s transfer had been ordered by the ministry’s permanent secretary Sukhum Karnchanapimai, adding that as things stand, Kriangsak has quit as acting director, while Charnchai still holds is old post though in an inactive capacity.
He also insisted that the investigation will be just because Pitakpol is a righteous man who cannot be influenced.
Meanwhile, Sukhum said Kriangsak was returning to his own hospital in Chanthaburi and was waiting for the case to be cleared up.
On Tuesday, Dr Kanokwan Sriruksa, president of Khon Kaen Hospital’s medical organisation, voiced concern that the investigating committee may not be fair because the members were associates of Kriangsak. She also said the case should be handed over to national anti-corruption bodies instead.