Collapsed steps from hospital
Charoen, a hotel caretaker from Sikao district, fell to the ground clutching his chest on September 12 as his wife Preeda, 61, and their 11-year-old grandson watched in terror.
He gasped for air and lost consciousness just 200 to 300 metres from the nearest hospital. Preeda, unable to drive, phoned her employer who repeatedly dialled Thailand’s emergency hotline 1669 and police hotline 191.
But despite frantic calls, no ambulance arrived. The hospital later admitted it had no vehicle available – its sole ambulance had been sent elsewhere. By the time a good Samaritan rushed Charoen to hospital in a private car, doctors could only pronounce him dead.
‘He didn’t have to die’
Through tears, Preeda told reporters: “I don’t believe he had to die. The hospital was only 200 or 300 metres away. If the ambulance had come sooner, he could have been saved.”
Their eldest son Saroj accused the hospital of negligence: “When I arrived, they were already trying to resuscitate my father. The conflicting explanations about the ambulance have destroyed our family’s trust.”
Relatives say they were told staff shortages – including a pregnant nurse who was unable to drive – left the emergency unit paralysed. Outraged locals now question why no alternative arrangements were made.
Family demands answers
The grieving family has filed a formal complaint with the provincial ombudsman and is preparing a petition to Trang’s public health office.
“We need a full investigation into the failure of the 1669 emergency system,” Saroj said. “No other family should have to suffer this kind of loss.”
As anger grows, the tragedy has sparked nationwide debate about Thailand’s emergency response system – and whether the death of a man so close to a hospital could have been prevented.