Thai Celebrity Doctor Arrested for Trafficking Date Rape Drugs
In a shocking development from Bangkok, a prominent police doctor known as “Dr. Air,” whose real name is Anchulee Theerawongpaisal, has been arrested for her alleged involvement in the illegal trafficking of date rape drugs. This incident has raised serious concerns about the misuse of medical credentials and the potential dangers posed by such illicit activities.
Anchulee, a well-known figure with over 311,000 followers on Facebook, is accused of exploiting her medical position to acquire tens of thousands of alprazolam pills and other psychotropic substances from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Authorities allege that she used the names of 12 clinics to facilitate these purchases, leading to her arrest on June 10, 2025, at her police residence in Bangkok. Six other individuals were also apprehended in connection with this case.
Irregularities and Investigation
The investigation into Anchulee’s activities began when FDA officials noticed unusual purchasing patterns for Flunitrazepam, a prescription sleep aid often associated with sexual assault cases due to its sedative effects. Police Major General Nopasit Mitrapakdee, Commander of the Narcotics Suppression Division 1, stated that Anchulee had ordered large quantities of this medication, raising red flags for authorities.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Anchulee and her associates were storing these drugs in private rooms guarded by security personnel before distributing them to various network members across different regions. The scale of the operation is alarming, with records indicating that her drug purchases skyrocketed from approximately 1 million baht (around S$39,521) in 2022 to an estimated 11 million baht (S$434,738) in 2024. In 2025 alone, she had already placed orders worth between 7 to 8 million baht (S$276,667 to S$316,191).
Fraudulent Practices and Legal Consequences
In a particularly disturbing revelation, Deputy Health Minister Thanakrit Jitareerat disclosed that Anchulee had used the names of 370 deceased individuals, some dating back to 1998, to fraudulently obtain these drugs. Authorities have seized a staggering 170,400 pills of various controlled substances, including Alprazolam, Zolpidem tartrate, Flunitrazepam, Clonazepam, and Clorazepate.
All suspects involved in this case are facing serious charges, including conspiracy to distribute Category 2 controlled substances without authorisation for commercial purposes and conspiracy to commit serious drug-related offences. Local authorities are now seeking to dismiss Anchulee from her government position and are considering disciplinary actions against her.
Previous Controversies
This is not the first time Anchulee has found herself in the spotlight for controversial reasons. In 2019, she faced backlash for encouraging mothers to give birth in the United States to secure American citizenship for their children. Additionally, she was involved in a defamation case in 2017 concerning a high-society woman. Previously, Anchulee served as a deputy spokesperson for the National Police Office, where she was responsible for public relations and disseminating information about police operations.
As the investigation continues, the implications of this case extend beyond Anchulee herself, raising questions about the integrity of medical professionals and the systems in place to prevent such abuses of power. The public remains vigilant as authorities work to ensure that justice is served in this alarming case of drug trafficking.