Thai MOPH revokes Kanchanaburi nursing home operating licence
Inspectors reported excess beds and unauthorised psychiatric care, while officials plan checks of 1,200 registered elderly care centres within two months.
- The nursing home's licence was revoked for accepting psychiatric patients without the required authorization, as it was only licensed for elderly or dependent people.
- The facility significantly exceeded its licensed capacity, operating with 129 beds instead of the permitted 50 and using nearly three times the declared space.
- Inspectors reported multiple breaches of care standards, including substandard premises, inaccurate medical records, and the unlawful confinement of residents.
The Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) revoked the operating licence of Sothornchai Nursing Home in Kanchanaburi on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) after inspectors reported breaches of operating rules and care standards.
DHSS director-general Dr Puwadet Surakhot inspected the facility on October 6 and signed the revocation notice.
Inspectors found 129 beds, compared with the 50 specified in the application.
Approximately 4,300 square metres of space were in use, almost three times the declared 1,600 square metres.
Officials also reported substandard premises and care, along with the unlawful confinement of residents.
Licensed to care for elderly or dependent people, the nursing home had been accepting psychiatric patients without authorisation.
Psychiatric care requires a medical facility with doctors and specialist personnel.
Medical records also lacked the required detail and accuracy.
Puwadet said the planned action covered the business and management licences, both held by the same person.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said he understood that those affected had already filed complaints with police to pursue legal action.
Most of the more than 100 other patients were aged 18–59, and more than 90 were psychiatric patients.
The Department of Mental Health would conduct detailed assessments before transfers to other facilities.
The licence had been renewed online under Public Sector Development Commission rules, according to Puwadet.
The DHSS conducts annual on-site inspections, but the incident occurred before the scheduled November check was due.
“The DHSS will inspect standards at all 1,200 elderly care centres registered with it nationwide and complete the checks within the next two months,” he said.
Dr Kittisak Aksornwong, director-general of the Department of Mental Health, said aggressive or severely agitated psychiatric patients requiring behavioural control must have dedicated isolation rooms.
The rooms must have strong doors, which may have a cage-like design, and interiors lined with materials that pose no danger.
For psychiatric patients showing no abnormal symptoms, confinement in cages or enclosing their beds in cages is not standard treatment and cannot be used under any circumstances.
