A woman falsely claiming to be a doctor, and her assistant, have been detained following a police raid on an unlicensed clinic in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district.
Ms Areeya Wonglee, 52, claiming to be a doctor at a clinic in Ayutthaya, is questioned by police on Friday. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)
Police and health officials on Friday went to the Phra Nakhon clinic, which offers nursing and midwife services, on Udomsorayud Road in tambon Nong Chick of Bang Pa-in district, following complaints that the clinic was operating illegally.
Police said the clinic had two consultation rooms, two beds, bottles of medicines and medical equipment.
Areeya Wonglee, 52, a resident of Pathum Thani was apprehended at the clinic. She claimed to be a doctor. Jiraporn Sirivej, 19, an employee, was also arrested. They were charged with operating an unlicensed clinic. The offence carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail and/or a fine of 50,000 baht.
The raid followed complaints from workers at the Bang Pa-in industrial estate.
An initial police investigation found the clinic was formerly registered by a doctor, the owner of the clinic. The doctor died and the clinic was closed down. However, Ms Areeya reopened the clinic and provided treatment to patients, by using the late doctor’s name.