Hit-and-run doctor faces ethics inquiry

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) is investigating a doctor who allegedly failed to stop after his car hit and injured three young students on a pedestrian crossing outside their school in Bangkok last month.

The council was handed a petition jointly filed by the Life Quality Development Network, the Child Youth and Family Foundation and the Parents Network on Wednesday.

The group, who accompanied the parents, called on the council to conduct an ethical probe against a doctor who failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing and hit the students outside Santiratwitthayalai School in Ratchathewi district on Aug 19.

The driver did not pull over or perform first aid for the injured students, one of whom was left with a bleeding chin.

The doctor also failed to apologise. His insurer is paying two students 1,000 baht each and the student with the grazed chin 3,000 baht in compensation.

The doctor has reportedly personally offered 10,000 baht in compensation for each student.

The students' families said they would not accept the compensation and would sue if the doctor did not apologise.

The networks presented to the MCT a 13-second video clip showing the doctor's car hitting the students.

They also urged authorities to mete out punishments against those who ignore safety at pedestrian crossings, an offence under the Road Traffic Act.

The networks said the doctor has not contacted the students' families.

On hand to receive the petition was Pol Gen Itthipol Kanacharoen, the MCT secretary-general. He said the council will set up a probe into the doctor's conduct. The council will also get in touch with the families to arrange counselling for the students.