Police arrested a fraudster posing as a qualified doctor at a clinic in Wang Thonglang district on Wednesday.
Thanakorn Baleepat, 47, was collared by a joint task force for performing as a medical doctor without a proper licence and using fake medical certificates.
Pol Col Tarakorn Lertporncharoen, deputy chief of the Consumer Protection Police Division, said yesterday that the team was led by Pol Col Neti Wongkularb, superintendent of the division's sub-division 4, and Dr Phanuwat Pankate, deputy chief of the Department of Health Service Support.
Pol Col Neti said one doctor and Mr Thanakorn were found treating patients during the raid. Mr Thanakorn has treated eight TV celebrities in the past. He admitted he lacks both a medical licence and degree.
He graduated from high school in Phayao and vocational college -- both virtually -- before working for a private company. With his passion, friendly face and connections with a dermatologist, he found work at a clinic and attended courses.
Many believed he was a competent professional, an image he burnished by waving around a fabricated Oxbridge degree certificate.
In the space of a year, he treated hundreds of patients -- referring any genuine problems to a real doctor. In 2011, he attempted to open his own clinic. Several former celebrities who received treatment from him will be summoned for questioning.
Dr Phanuwat said the clinic will be charged with hiring an unqualified doctor. It may be liable for unlawful advertising, he said.