“Among the popular beliefs on social media is that a cocktail of lemon soda can cure cancer. But the truth is that if patients follow such advice without seeking proper treatment, cancer will spread fast,” Pakpoom Thephassadin, a medical technologist, said at a seminar yesterday.

He also dismissed as groundless information widely shared on social media that suggested crushed chilli could heal snake bites and that a ginger drink could prevent damage to lungs from smoking.

Pakpoom said because this type of information is so readily available, people easily access it and unfortunately believe it.

The National Health Commission (NHC) organised yesterday’s seminar to highlight the need for medical professionals and service providers to address challenges online. The event was aimed at gathering information to prepare social media guidelines for health professionals.

At the forum, NHC secretary-general Dr Poldej Pinprateep raised concerns about the online posting of check-up results, patient pictures and family photos inside delivery rooms. He said such actions could constitute violations of the National Health Act, which is punishable by a maximum fine of Bt10,000 and up to six months in jail.

He said guidelines would help health professionals use social media properly.

Pakpoom said he was more worried about the sharing of false medical information, and also online advertisements for health products containing banned substances.

“It’s necessary to make people aware that false information exists on social media,” he said.

He said people could double check information by making a Google search with the phrase “true or not”.

Dr Wittawat Siriprachai, who operates the Drama Addict page on Facebook, said social media has given all users an audience. “So before you post or share anything online, be careful about the impact,” he said. “It may destroy the lives of others.”

Wittawat said he agreed with the idea of drawing up guidelines and that he believed health professionals should not post patients’ information or pictures, and rescue workers should not post pictures of accident victims.

He added that patients should not attack medical professionals online simply because they did not like the service they received.

According to a Singapore-based agency, 56 per cent of the Thai population, or more than 38 million, have used Internet as well as social media for medical advice.