The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) yesterday condemned an attack on a doctor who was kicked in the head by a patient at a state hospital in Phayao province.
A video clip captured the incident and went viral on the internet. In response, the MCT yesterday issued a statement on its website and Facebook page condemning the attack on Dr Thongchai Muangkham.
"On behalf of medical doctors across the country, the MCT considers this incident a threat and offence to the medical profession.
"No one could be forgiven for using violence against doctors or any other medical profession," it said.
Dr Muangkham, of Mae Chai Hospital, on Thursday lodged a complaint with police regarding the attack, which occurred in the hospital's emergency room about 10pm on Aug 6.
The complaint was against patient Surakiat Phechpradab, a 66-year-old former mayor of tambon Mae Chai municipality. Mr Phechpradab has yet to apologise to the doctor.
The doctor said the patient visited the hospital that night complaining of chest pain.
While Dr Muangkham was asking questions and performing an examination, which involved pressing on the upper abdomen of the patient with his hand, the patient suddenly kicked him in the back of his head.
Pol Col Boonsung Sa-art, chief of the Mae Chai district police, said later on Saturday police had summoned Mr Surakiat for questioning, and the suspect has promised to come in on Wednesday.
Mr Surakiat said he did not realise that his right leg shot up and kicked the doctor because he was suffering a great deal of pain in the chest at the time.
The patient also accused the doctor of raising his voice when repeating the question to find out in which part of the body the patient felt pain.
After the incident, Mr Surakiat asked his children to transfer him to Phayao Hospital where he was diagnosed with myocardial infarction, requiring him to undergo a series of treatments. He left that hospital on Friday.
He said he is considering taking legal action against the person who posted the video clip of the incident.