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Chiropractic is at last a legalized profession in Thailand and 18 chiropractors recently were granted the first licenses.
Full-time chiropractic doctors have practiced in Thailand for almost 15 years, primarily in the capital city of Bangkok. Despite treating thousands of Thai people, the expatriate community and foreign tourists, these pioneer chiropractors had been practicing without benefit of a legally licensed profession. Occasionally, foreign chiropractors would visit Thailand on a working vacation or sabbatical from their homelands and practice temporarily. Technically, all practiced outside the law - until now.
"We appreciate all their historical contributions in helping start the profession on its way to legalization here," said Dr. Oat Buranasombati, a Los Angeles College of Chiropractic graduate and current president of the Thailand Chiropractic Association (TCA), the official national member association affiliated with the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC).
According to Dr. Buranasombati, "The profession evolved here out of the efforts of many people over the years. Some DCs were even arrested, and that was not too long ago." One of those arrested was Dr. Don Nakaya-Nielsen, one of the first chiropractors to establish an ongoing practice in Bangkok, a practice that is still the largest in the country. Dr. Don, a Cleveland Chiropractic College - Los Angeles graduate and former world-champion kickboxer (Muay Thai kickboxing is the national sport of Thailand), opened one of the first chiropractic clinics and several of the chiropractors in Bangkok passed through his office before starting off on their own. He also brought his former instructor and friend, the legendary Ronald J. Watkins, DC, to Thailand at the twilight of his career so he could finish his days adjusting the Thai people in Bangkok and in the resort city of Pattaya. (see "Chiropractic in Pattaya, Thailand," Dynamic Chiropractic, Aug. 16,2002. Available online at www. chiroweb.com.) Dr. Watkins also was arrested briefly and released, as was Dr. Teerasak, vice president of the TCA.
Dr. Rand Baird, well-known as a chiropractic college public health instructor, hospital privileges expert and DC columnist, knew both Dr. Oat and Dr. Don from his days as their teacher in chiropractic college, and at times was called upon to help resolve conflicts and encourage compromises. Dr. Baird chairs the WFC Public Health Committee and the...