A former mayor of Phayao province has been given a wrist-slap punishment over a charge of assault after he kicked his doctor in the back of the neck while receiving a treatment in the emergency room.
Surakiat Petchpradap, a 66-year-old former mayor of Mae Jai district, has been sentenced to a six-month jail term and a fine of THB3,000, but the judge said he did not need to serve and was instead given a two-year probation and ordered to do 24 hours of community service.
On Aug. 6, Surakiat was caught on surveillance camera attacking Dr. Thongchai Muangkam, 30, at Mae Jai Hospital while the doctor was examining him for a pain in his chest.
According to Pol. Lt. Col. Jarun Muangmoon, who handled the case, Dr. Thongchai said the patient was dissatisfied with his method and threatened him. The incident ended up with Surakiat’s family transferring him to another hospital.
Dr. Surakiat later claimed that he did not even realize he attacked the doctor and the pain in his chest could have driven his body to do so.
The case previously raised concerns from the Medical Council of Thailand as they issued a statement that the incident has offended the dignity of their profession and the patients may not use violence against the physicians under any circumstances, Daily News reported.
