Medical Council to Investigate Ratchaburi Hospital Over Patient Death

The Medical Council is preparing to investigate a private hospital in Ratchaburi province following the death of a 31-year-old man whose wife, a teacher, posted online demanding accountability. The woman claims her husband complained of chest pain and heavy sweating and requested a heart examination, but was not examined before being discharged. He died shortly after, sparking public criticism.

On July 18, 2026, Associate Professor Dr. Methi Wongsirsuwan, committee member and assistant secretary of the Medical Council, expressed deep sympathy for the deceased's family. He clarified that the Medical Council is responsible only for examining physicians' professional standards, while the Health Services Support Department oversees hospital standards.

Dr. Methi said the key issue under investigation is whether the physician's medical judgment in diagnosis and treatment decisions met professional standards. However, currently only one side's information has been heard, so facts from all parties must be gathered before drawing conclusions. The investigation can begin in two ways: if the family files a complaint with the Medical Council, which triggers an ethics investigation, or if the secretary-general considers the case affects professional standards or public trust without a complaint being filed.

"If the family has not yet filed a complaint, the Medical Council will closely monitor the situation and may coordinate with relevant parties to gather facts. If the case has merit, it can be accepted for consideration," Dr. Methi said.

When asked about potential misconduct if the facts match media reports, Dr. Methi said the key issue is whether the physician's exercise of professional judgment was appropriate and met standards, as well as communication and advice given to the patient and family. Inappropriate language or behavior would also be investigated. However, the determination must be based on information from all parties—the family, treating physician, and hospital—to be fair to everyone, and cannot be decided solely on media reports.

Dr. Methi advised the public that if they believe treatment is inappropriate or doubt a physician's judgment, they should report it through the hospital's complaint channels, such as the hospital inspector or administrator, immediately so treatment can be reviewed while the patient is still in care, potentially preventing serious outcomes. He also urged physicians to exercise careful judgment and consult experienced colleagues if uncertain about diagnosis or treatment to ensure patients receive appropriate, professional-standard care.