Thai Police Doctor 400 Million Baht Drug Scandal Exposes Shocking Network of Prescription Fraud and Chinese Mafia Ties!
James Josh Fact checked by:TMN Jun 19, 2025 2 weeks, 4 days, 23 hours, 34 minutes ago
Thailand Doctors: A Shocking Turn in Thailand’s Healthcare and Law Enforcement Sectors
In a scandal that has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s medical and law enforcement institutions, a senior police psychiatrist stands accused of masterminding a massive prescription drug fraud scheme valued at over 400 million baht. At the center of the case is Police Colonel Dr. Anchulee Theerawongpaisal—widely known by her nickname “Dr Air”—a senior psychiatrist affiliated with the Police General Hospital in Bangkok. Authorities say she abused her medical license and police privileges to illegally order and distribute massive quantities of controlled substances like alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax.
Police Colonel Dr. Anchulee Theerawongpaisal
Image Credit: Facebook
The case, described by officials as a coordinated criminal conspiracy, has exposed how Thailand’s prescription systems can be exploited. It also highlights a disturbing nexus between rogue
Thailand Doctors, fraudulent clinics, and organized crime groups. Medical experts and police investigators discovered that Dr Anchulee had allegedly used the identities of over 370 deceased individuals to fraudulently order psychotropic medications—many of which were later sold illegally through ghost clinics and unlicensed distributors. Investigators believe this network may have been operational for several years and may include ties to the Chinese mafia.
Fraud Uncovered During Routine Drug Inspection
The unraveling of this scheme began with routine checks by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which cross-referenced prescription records with patient registries. Officials noted a significant spike in the volume of drugs ordered by clinics associated with Dr Anchulee. Between 2022 and 2025, her drug orders surged from 1 million baht to a staggering 15 million baht, raising serious red flags.
Thai FDA inspectors soon discovered that many of the names used in prescriptions belonged to people who were already dead. Out of 3,909 listed patients, 370 were confirmed to be deceased. This prompted the FDA to file a formal complaint with Provincial Police Region 1. Investigations quickly revealed that nine clinics were involved in the suspicious activity, with seven doctors—including Dr Anchulee—allegedly connected to the scheme. Six of these doctors worked at private clinics, and many had no formal affiliation with government hospitals.
A Criminal Network Funded by Illicit Prescription Sales
Law enforcement agencies believe that the operation extended beyond fraudulent prescriptions. According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasit Mitpakdee, head of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau’s Division
1, Dr Anchulee orchestrated a sophisticated distribution system. She ordered large volumes of Schedule 2 and Schedule 4 psychotropic substances, stored them in a police residence in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district, and then worked with accomplices to distribute them across the capital and neighboring provinces.
Authorities arrested multiple suspects tied to the case, including four named individuals and two others who were found with illegal sedatives. More than 170,000 tablets were seized in coordinated raids—including 57,000 alprazolam pills, 24,300 flunitrazepam tablets, and 63,000 clonazepam pills. All are controlled substances under Thai law, often misused for recreational purposes or as so-called "date rape" drugs when combined with other sedatives.
Investigators say that the illegal drugs were sourced through 11 clinics, some of which were entirely fictitious. Others operated using stolen or forged identities. The drugs were sold through underground networks, with some even distributed to vulnerable populations through unlicensed clinics targeting younger adults.
Chinese Mafia and Money Laundering Angle Deepens the Scandal
One of the most alarming developments in the investigation is the suspected link between the prescription racket and transnational organized crime. Senior officials at the Ministry of Public Health and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau revealed that Pol Col Dr Anchulee had previously been under scrutiny for suspected ties to the Chinese mafia. Though no formal charges were filed at the time, her reappearance at the center of a high-profile drug case has renewed concerns.
Financial investigations into the scheme unearthed transactions totaling over 400 million baht. Authorities traced money flowing through accounts associated with Dr Anchulee and her accomplices. The scope of the finances involved has led to a separate money laundering investigation, with police expected to file additional charges soon.
Misuse of Police Housing and Drug Storage Raises Ethical Concerns
The drugs were not only ordered illegally—they were also stored improperly. Police found that Dr Anchulee had kept the medications in government housing allocated to her in Phaya Thai. A Thai man acting as a caretaker for the apartment was arrested at the scene. He was not a police officer but had been granted access to the secure premises. Authorities confirmed that this violated both police housing policies and national drug laws.
Following these discoveries, officers raided Dr Anchulee’s official residence in the Ratchadamri area and took her into custody. Forensic evidence, including DNA and financial records, allegedly ties her directly to the storage and distribution operations.
Fake Clinics and Dead Patients Were the Backbone of the Drug Ring
The prescription scheme relied heavily on impersonation. Officials believe that the network had access to stolen or leaked personal data. Of the 370 deceased individuals whose names were used to procure drugs, 250 had died in 2024 and another 120 in 2025. Investigators suspect that this information was obtained from a data breach or through corrupt insiders. The matter has now expanded to include a cybersecurity probe into the theft and misuse of hospital records.
The Thai FDA reported that orders placed under Dr Anchulee’s name and associated clinics followed a regular schedule, suggesting careful planning. These orders were filed using seemingly legitimate credentials, and the volume often appeared reasonable enough to escape early detection. However, over time, the scale and frequency of the orders triggered system alerts.
Arrests, Suspensions, and Future Probes in the Medical Sector
The Police General Hospital has suspended Dr Anchulee pending a disciplinary hearing. She was officially dismissed from civil service on the day of her arrest. The hospital’s spokesperson, Pol Maj Gen Sirikul Srisongsa, confirmed that an internal panel is reviewing the case. The panel will determine whether her actions violated the hospital’s strict ethics and prescription regulations.
The Medical Council of Thailand has also been informed. A review of Dr Anchulee’s license is now underway. Should her involvement be confirmed, she may be permanently stripped of her right to practice medicine in Thailand. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health is working with the Thai FDA to tighten monitoring of psychotropic drug prescriptions and to evaluate the existing vetting processes for new clinics.
The Human Toll and Legal Ramifications
During her detention, Dr Anchulee appeared visibly distressed. Her legal representative, Nitisak Meekhud, told reporters that she was particularly worried about her two children, now staying with relatives in Surin province. Although bail has not yet been requested, her defense team is awaiting clarity on the full list of charges. These may include possession and illegal distribution of controlled substances, fraud, falsification of documents, misuse of government housing, and money laundering.
If convicted, Dr Anchulee could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years, significant fines, and permanent removal from the medical register. Authorities also expect the court to order asset seizures based on financial links to drug profits.
Expanded Investigation Raises Red Flags Across Thailand’s Healthcare System
On June 11, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau will host a press conference to provide updates. Representatives from the FDA and the Department of Health Service Support will address the public. They are expected to announce additional clinic raids and further arrests.
This scandal has exposed glaring vulnerabilities in Thailand’s drug regulation system. Though initially limited to one doctor, the investigation now spans over a dozen clinics and potentially several other doctors. Law enforcement sources have warned that the case is only the tip of the iceberg, and similar abuse may be occurring undetected elsewhere in the country.
Conclusion
The arrest of Dr Anchulee Theerawongpaisal has shaken public confidence in both Thailand’s medical sector and its law enforcement institutions. More than just a case of medical misconduct, the scandal reveals a deeply embedded network of fraud, deception, and transnational crime. The use of deceased individuals' identities, fake clinics, and government housing for illegal drug storage points to a well-orchestrated operation that went unnoticed for far too long. As investigations deepen, the links to the Chinese mafia and laundering of over 400 million baht suggest a broader criminal underworld operating within the shadows of legitimate medical and legal frameworks. The Thai government, healthcare institutions, and regulatory bodies must now work together not just to punish those responsible but to overhaul the system that allowed such abuses to thrive.
Restoring public trust and protecting vulnerable patients must become national priorities. The real test will lie in whether Thailand can use this scandal as a turning point to finally implement the systemic reforms long overdue in healthcare regulation and enforcement.
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Thailand Doctors, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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