The humerus proximal endoprosthesis will significantly cut medical costs for patients needing an artificial device.

“The quality of the locally-made humerus proximal endoprosthesis is as good as the imported ones,” Dr Piya Kiatisevi, an orthopaedist at Lerdsin Hospital, said yesterday. “The local device has proven practical for all 10 patients in approved human trials.”

He said that patients have not developed any complications from the device and have not reported dislocations over the past two years.

The Thai humerus proximal endoprosthesis was made possible through collaboration with Lerdsin Hospital, the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Cosmo Meditech Company.

Dr Kriskrai Sitthiseripratip, a senior researcher at the NSTDA National Metal and Materials Technology Centre, said Cosmo Meditech was in the process of seeking a patent from the NSTDA. “After it gets a patent, it will apply for industrial standard certification before producing the innovative device for commercial purposes,” he said.

Medical Services Department deputy chief Prapon Tangsrikertikul said each imported humerus proximal endoprosthesis costs patients between Bt300,000 and Bt400,000.

“Such type of treatment has not yet been covered by the universal coverage scheme,” he said.

The device is made of a metallic mixture of cobalt and chromium, and top-grade titanium.

With a good response to chemotherapy and surgery, primary bone cancer patients still have up to a 60 per cent chance of survival. “This humerus proximal endoprosthesis will increase their quality of life in the post-surgery period.”

Prayut will spend the day meeting joint government-private committees on economic solutions, visit local self-sufficiency communities, worship at the famous Phra That Phanom Temple, and also greet the locals.

The talks with the committees are expected to also cover nearby provinces Sakhon Nakhon and Mukdahan, covering agriculture, food, tourism and water management.

Located on an economic corridor, Nakhon Phanom is known for its connectivity potential with Laos. In 2011, the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connected Khammouane’s Thakhek in Laos with Nakhon Phanom’s At Samat district

Last December, Prayut used Article 44 to declare At Samat an SEZ together with Ban Kao district in western Kanchanaburi.

During the previous budget year, border trade in Nakhon Phanom was valued at Bt12 billion and is estimated to reach Bt15 billion this year, given improved transportation infrastructure in Laos, which is subsequently linked to Vietnam, according to the Customs Department.

Thirachai Uttarawichien, who has been arrested along with eight others following raids by authorities at nine locations in seven provinces last week, told a press conference at the Crime Suppression Division on Friday he believed Ko Tee was referring to former interior minister Charupong Ruangsuwan. Charupong was a key figure in Pheu Thai Party, having been its secretary general.

“But I don’t think Ko Tee saw weapons in the containers by himself,” he said.

Thirachai also claimed he met Ko Tee three times in Laos – the last time in February.

“Every time we met, Ko Tee never ordered me to create any incident. I believe that he has no potential to create any unrest,” the suspect said. But he admitted Ko Tee had made a threat to kill certain government leaders.

One of the nine suspects is Sakon Nakhon resident Palida Ruangsuwan, 61, described in some media reports as a relative of Charupong.

The nine suspects – seven men and two women – are charged with illegal possession of weapons and criminal association. Yesterday, they were handed over to the police by the military and made to appear at the press conference at the CSD headquarters.

In addition to the nine arrested, police are still seeking four others – a woman and three men, including Ko Tee, 48, who is wanted for possessing unregistered weapons and ammunition without permission.

Thirachai also revealed that had learned that the seized weapons from the house had been used “only twice” – in clashes with Ko Tee’s political enemies.

However, a security source said yesterday some suspects had confessed that some of the confiscated weapons were used during the political unrest in 2010.

Satit Wongnongtoey, a former Prime Minister’s Office Minister in Abhisit Vejjajiva’s administration, said the Revenue Department had contacted him, but had yet to give an appointment date, and said he may need to present himself, as well as some unspecified documents.

Satit is among politicians named in recent news reports in regard to having assets that increased in value that should be subject to tax. At least 60 politicians and high-ranking officials are on the list.

Satit reportedly had assets worth over Bt19-million more when he left office than when he took the Cabinet position.

Satit insisted he had not been involved in any “grey” business. He was just a politician with a background as the owner of a private kindergarten school, he said.

Pheu Thai politician Pongthep Thepkanchana, a former deputy prime minister and education minister, said he had just returned from abroad and could not say at this point whether the Office of Auditor General or Revenue Department had tried to contact him yet.

Like Satit, Pongthep said he had reported to the Revenue Department every year and never had any problems.

Pongthep reportedly had assets worth over Bt164 million more when he left than when he took the office.

Thaksin’s lawyer, Chumsai Sriyapai, filed a complaint on his behalf with the Technology Crime Suppression division.

The “Yukol Asks Straightforwardly, Sonthiyarn Answers” programme on Spring News Channel was broadcast on Thursday.

Wuttipong “Ko Tee” Kottham-makhun, has been accused by the police of possessing seized weapons following a raid on a building in Pathum Thani.

The humerus proximal endoprosthesis will significantly cut medical costs for patients needing an artificial device.

“The quality of the locally-made humerus proximal endoprosthesis is as good as the imported ones,” Dr Piya Kiatisevi, an orthopaedist at the Lerdsin Hospital, said on Friday.

“The locally-made device has proven practical for all 10 patients in approved human trials.”

He said that patients have not developed any complication from the device and have not reported dislocations over the past two years.

The Thai humerus proximal endoprosthesis was made possible through collaboration with  Lerdsin Hospital, the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Cosmo Meditech Company.

Dr Kriskrai Sitthiseripratip, a senior researcher at the NSTDA National Metal and Materials Technology Centre, said Cosmo Meditech was in the process of seeking a patent from the NSTDA.

“After it gets a patent, it will apply for industrial standard certification before producing the innovative device for commercial purposes,” he said.