Police arrest quack doctor conducting traditional Chinese medical service at home

Police arrested a quack doctor performing traditional Chinese medicine without a license at his home.

Arying, 61, had reportedly been treating patients through acupuncture and bloodletting at his house turned clinic in Phang Nga province, Thailand.

However, the patients reported feeling side effects like palpitations, anaemia, and pain at the blood-drawing sites. Locals also complained of medical waste such as discarded syringe sleeves, gloves, and bloodstained piece of cotton and tissue paper strewn around in public areas.

Police acting on the reports raided Arying's house and arrested him on August 13.

Police Major General Wittaya Sriprasert, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CCPD), said Arying was caught in the middle of bloodletting session without wearing gloves.

The quack healer was also unable to produce a valid medical license.

The police chief said in a press conference on August 28: 'The public should study medical treatments carefully before undergoing them. Medical examinations must be performed by a licensed medical practitioner because they are performed directly on the body. These methods require a specialist.

'Any perpetrators of wrongdoing, whether they are individuals posing as doctors or fake clinics who use the public's fear of serious diseases as a tool for deception, must stop such behavior immediately. The police will continue to make arrests. If any are found, they will be prosecuted decisively.'

Officers confiscated from Arying's house 445 syringes, two bottles of alcohol, a set of cleaning equipment, and contaminated medical waste.

Arying claimed he has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine for four years and that he learned the techniques from his ancestors.

He will be charged for multiple offenses, including allegedly violating Thailand's Medical Practice Act, Medical Profession Act, and Hospital Act.

Dr Akom Praditsawan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS), said: 'Receiving medical services from quack clinics or quack doctors is risky and may affect health and body. For example, procedures like cosmetic surgery, if done wrong, can cause inflammation and infection, and in some cases can cause severe effects to the point of disability, complete blindness, or death.

'Therefore, patients must consider carefully and not rush to choose to receive services just because word of mouth. Only trust clinics and doctors who are legally registered.'