Can Ajarn Ake, a Thai man referred to as Master Ake, heal various symptoms, such as curing a herniated disc by kicking the hips using his "psychic powers"? No, that's not true: Panuwat Panket, deputy director-general of the Department of Health Services Support, informed the media that Master Ake lacked the necessary medical certifications to provide healing treatments. Panket emphasized the absence of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of psychic powers in curing conditions such as herniated discs or office syndrome.
The claim appeared in a video (archived here) on TikTok on September 5, 2023. The caption (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff) read:
Kicking two minutes, herniated disk is gone
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Feb 7 18:04:09 2024 UTC)
Numerous videos on TikTok asserted that Ake possessed the ability to heal herniated discs and office syndrome by using his psychic powers, leading to many people in distress lining up to receive kicks or blows from him. Office syndrome is aches and pains and dry eyes from sedentary occupations.
In a video clip (archived here), people suffering from these ailments were seen lying on the floor as Ake kicked their hips one by one. Another video (archived here) shows him delivering blows to the shoulders and backs of those with office syndrome, supposedly alleviating pain and stiffness in their shoulders and necks.
On November 15, 2023, local media (archived here) reported that officials from the Department of Health Service Support, along with those from the Consumer Protection Police Division, visited his clinic in Nonthaburi province. This was prompted by viral videos on social media that claimed he possessed the ability to miraculously heal patients and even restore vision to the blind. Officials couldn't locate him, and further investigation revealed he had not registered or obtained a license to operate a clinic. Additionally, he lacked any medical qualifications or expertise to provide treatment to patients.
Panket informed the media that officials had filed three charges against Ake. He was accused of operating a clinic without proper licenses and violating the Medical Profession Act B.E. 2525, as well as the Thai Traditional Medical Professions Act B.E.2556.
Lead Stories contacted the Department of Health Services Support and the Consumer Protection Police Division. If they respond, this fact check will be updated.
