Bangkok: An alarming scheme involving the impersonation of deceased individuals to acquire medicine has been uncovered, with a reported turnover reaching 400 million baht. The incident involves medical professionals at the Police General Hospital, who have allegedly used the names of dead individuals to procure medicine, implicating hundreds of people in the process.

According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Thanakrit Jit-Aree-rat, Assistant Minister to the Ministry of Public Health, provided insights into the investigation. He clarified that the Police General Hospital itself is not involved, although the implicated doctor is part of its staff. The hospital is currently conducting an internal investigation. Reports indicate that more than 250 impersonators exploited death certificates to obtain medicine in 2024, with an additional 120 cases emerging in 2025. Over the span of two years, more than 370 deceased individuals’ identities have been misused.

Inspections also revealed irregularities at the TATTOO CLINIC, registered as a medical clinic but primarily involved in tattoo removal. Although no drug misuse was identified at this location, authorities plan to inspect a total of 11 clinics, with suspicions that 5-6 doctors might be involved in this fraudulent activity.

Financial investigations have uncovered a substantial monetary trail, with the circulation amount far exceeding initial estimates of 80 million baht, reaching a staggering 400 million baht. The origin of these funds remains unknown, prompting further investigation.

While permission to operate these clinics was appropriately sought, only 2 out of the 11 clinics were registered under the name of the implicated doctor. The remainder were under different names. The question of bail for the involved doctor rests with the court, as officials delve deeper into medical records to trace the source and distribution of the medicines obtained using deceased individuals’ identities.