Category: The Bangkok Post

A man who was rushed to hospital after mistakenly drinking toilet cleaner from a soft drink bottle died only a few hours after he was cursorily treated and then sent home.

His family is now questioning the hospital’s handling of the case.

The tragic incident occurred in Satuek district on Monday. The 44-year-old man drank from a bottle he thought contained a soft drink, unaware it had been refilled with green toilet cleaner.

After taking several sips, he realised something was wrong and was rushed to hospital by relatives.

His sister said he had told her he was thirsty after a night of heavy drinking. He picked up a one-litre soft drink bottle containing a green liquid and drank about a quarter of it before asking, ‘What is this?’

Upon discovering it was toilet cleaner, the family hurried him to hospital.

At the hospital, relatives said, they presented the bottle to the medical staff and explained what he had consumed. Doctors examined the man, prescribed medication and allowed him to return home.

About five hours later, the man collapsed at home and lost consciousness. Emergency services were called, but were unable to revive him and he died.

His family expressed both sorrow and confusion, saying they had expected him to be kept in the hospital for observation and treatment.

A doctor who examined the body at the house was asked why the patient had not been admitted to the hospital, and instead sent home.The doctor reportedly explained that such cases were discharged if the patient showed no immediate severe symptoms.

The owner of the cleaning agent said he had transferred it from a large container into used soft drink bottles for distribution to relatives. He was present during the incident, he said, and the victim had asked what the liquid was only after drinking it.

He asked why the hospital had not performed a gastric lavage despite being shown the sample bottle.

The Buriram Provincial Health Office later said that using a stomach pump was not always appropriate in cases involving acidic substances such as toilet cleaner, which can corrode metal.

Dr Pichet Phutkhuntod said that inserting a tube into the stomach could cause the acid to flow back into the oesophagus, potentially leading to perforation or infection in the lungs.

He said the patient had vomited after drinking the cleaner. This, together with his state of intoxication, suggested that some of the substance had already been expelled. As his condition appeared to have stabilised, doctors allowed him to go home with instructions for close monitoring and to return if the symptoms worsened.

Health officials extended their condolences to the family and said support measures would be provided.

They also reminded people that hazardous household chemicals need to be stored safely and be clearly labelled, and to avoid transferring them into drink bottles or similar containers. Local health volunteers have been instructed to ensure people are aware of this, to prevent similar tragedies occurring.

Trat’s tourism industry is facing a 700-million-baht loss as a United Kingdom travel warning has prompted widespread cancellations from European visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

TAT’s Trat office said a surge of cancellations followed the UK Foreign Office’s advisory against non-essential travel to the province, including Koh Chang.

The advisory, stricter than those from other European nations, has led insurers to refuse coverage, disrupting travel plans.

One British traveller contacted TAT London and the Thai embassy, explaining his insurer declined to cover his trip to Koh Chang despite existing bookings. He requested official confirmation that the island remains safe, hoping it would reverse the insurer’s decision.

The TAT said that Trat is not a conflict zone and remains peaceful. Koh Chang, Koh Kut, and Koh Mak continue to welcome tourists daily.

However, the martial law designation across the entire province – active since 2012 – has raised concerns among European travellers and insurers.

The TAT said local tourism operators are urging security authorities to reconsider the status, especially in non-border areas, to restore confidence during peak season.

The war of words between controversial activist Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet and Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit reflects the flaws in the army’s handling of the simmering border conflict with Cambodia.

Mr Guntouch launched into a tirade against Ms Angkhana after the senator reprimanded the activist for playing “ghostly sounds” along the border with the intention of scaring Cambodian civilians in the area. The activist has been playing eerie sounds, as well as recordings of helicopter and jet engine noises, through speakers he took to Ban Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaeo in Sa Kaeo since Friday.

The senator’s protest followed Phnom Penh’s decision to lodge a complaint with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the use of loudspeakers along the border, which it claims have affected many Cambodians living nearby, especially the sick, the elderly, children and people with disabilities. The complaint went as far as accusing Thailand of violating human rights principles by engaging in psychological torture.

To back up the complaint, the Cambodian government took Asean’s Interim Observer Team to several border communities in Banteay Meanchey province — right across the border from Sa Kaeo.

Mr Guntouch hit back at the senator, asking her why she, as well as other human rights activists, chose to remain silent when Cambodia sent pregnant women and children to the frontlines at the peak of the conflict.

“When we send a letter, they ignore it. But when we play sounds for two days, they panic. Sometimes, you have to shake things up,” he said.

Ban Nong Chan has been under martial law since Aug 28, as it was one of the flash points in the border dispute with Cambodia. The decision to impose martial law in the area was taken in response to reports which claimed Cambodia was mobilising its citizens to cause disturbances along the border in Sa Kaeo. As such, the government has full authority to restrict access to the area and ensure that all activities taking place in the village align with national security and peacekeeping goals.

Make no mistake, Mr Guntouch has a reason to get angry and question the sincerity of our neighbour. When the conflict erupted in July, Thais witnessed schools and hospitals along the border being hit by Cambodian artillery. Thai soldiers have been maimed by landmines, which are believed to have been planted by Cambodian soldiers.

That said, the army must ensure any campaigns in the area align with the country’s national security policies. Mr Guntouch’s campaign — no matter how patriotic it is — could cause a diplomatic backlash and spur hatred among civilians living along the border.

We must remember the ongoing conflict is between the two governments — not the people of the two countries.

The question now is, why did the army allow the activist to launch such a campaign in a conflict zone?

The army’s response was deeply worrying.

Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said Thai civilians are simply voicing their discontent — non-violently — against the encroachment by Cambodia.

One must now ask, does this eye-for-an-eye approach align with Thailand’s pro-peace, diplomatic strategy?

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul must urgently look into this complaint and ensure our armed forces use the martial law declaration to foster peace, not raise tensions, in conflict areas.

River City Bangkok invites everyone to discover how music can be a driving force of creation during “Life As A Playlist”, which is running at RCB Galleria 4, 2nd floor, until Nov 2.

The exhibition is inspired by the favourite playlists of two artists — Pang Torsuwan and Ping Hatta — who weave together songs that have carried profound meaning in different chapters of their lives.

These playlists become stories — tracing a path that is anything but linear, yet filled with joy, vitality, courage, sensitivity and the fragile beauty found within struggle and growth. Their narratives unfold through diverse forms of art — expressive canvases, distinctive cubist-inspired paintings, delicate embroidery and sketches that reveal the raw spontaneity of their creative process.

This exhibition creates an “in-between space” — between sound and image, past and present. It not only tells the stories of the artists’ lives, but also invites each viewer to reflect on their own “inner playlist”, through a journey of emotions and memories.

In doing so, it reminds us that music is not only a mirror of who we once were, but also a revelation of who we are today — and a glimpse of who we may yet become.

Pang is a self-taught artist inspired by Cubism, which she interprets in her own distinct voice. Her compositions of fractured and overlapping geometric forms go beyond formal experimentation, serving as a metaphor for the intricate emotions and hidden narratives within the human condition.

Ping, meanwhile, often explores the intersection of strength and softness within femininity. Whether through paintings, fibre art, printmaking or digital illustrations, her pieces weave together bold colour palettes, intricate symbolism and a sense of warmth, inviting viewers to pause, reflect and find familiarity in the stories she tells.

A 72-year-old American man fell to his death from a condominium building in Pattaya early on Sunday morning, with police discovering a note suggesting financial difficulties.

Officers were alerted to the incident at a condominium in tambon Nong Prue at around 2.10am.

The man’s body was found face down in a pool of blood in the car park. Police said several bones were broken.

According to police, the man had been living alone in a fifth-floor flat. There were no signs of a struggle, but a handwritten note was found, saying goodbye and mentioning money problems.

CCTV footage showed the man taking a lift to the 11th floor, where he climbed onto a chair, went out of a window, and jumped.

Police said they would notify the US Embassy.

A seaplane service will begin a trial run from Koh Kradan in Trang province in December, with the first commercial route likely to be between Phuket and Trang.

ACM Manat Chuaprayoon, governor of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said the service would initially operate on Koh Kradan for 180 days from December.

It would then be assessed, both for commercial viability and for environmental and other impacts.

He said two companies, Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, had licences for such services, and their planes could also use any conventional airport.

‘Seaplanes will be another choice for tourists,’ ACM Manat said.

Surachai Nuprom, acting president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), said Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane were ready to launch this ground-breaking service in Thailand, with aircrews and business plans. The first route was likely to be Phuket-Trang.

The operators were also interested in routes to islands off Phuket, Phangnga, Koh Samui and Trang, he said.

Officials would study the possible impact from the noise of seaplane propellers and engines. If they proved to be environmentally friendly, a permanent seaplane service could start in mid-2026, he said.

Aerothai was prepared to manage seaplane air traffic. Other commercial flights and services would not be affected, Mr Surachai said.

Aerothai is state-owned and runs air traffic control and aviation communication services in Thailand.

K-pop groups formed through reality singing contests often rise to fame quickly because they already have a large fan base. ZeroBaseOne is one such group that has followed this successful format.

ZeroBaseOne, the highly talented boy group formed through the support of fans from 184 countries on Mnet’s Boys Planet, consists of nine members — Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin.

Organised by SM True, this global boy group is scheduled to visit Bangkok for “2025 ZeroBaseOne World Tour [Here and Now]” on Oct 18 at Impact Challenger. Since their debut, ZeroBaseOne has achieved success in the K-pop history with five consecutive million-plus-selling albums, underscoring their rapid rise on the global stage.

ZeroBaseOne has continuously broken records in the Korean music industry. Their debut mini-album Youth In The Shade, which was released in July 2023, sold over 2 million copies and earned them the title “double million seller”.

Their next release Melting Point in November 2023 recorded first-week sales of over 2.1 million copies, making them the first K-pop group to achieve over a million sales for two consecutive albums since debut. They also swept all major Rookie of the Year awards in Korea and have since continued to set records with five consecutive million-plus-selling albums.

On Sept 1, the group released their first full album titled Never Say Never. This album showcases their potential and reaffirms their status as global top tier.

Get ready to experience an incredible spectrum of music and discover the unique charms of all nine members at their world tour concert.

Tickets cost 2,500, 2,900, 3,400, 3,800, 4,800, 5,800, 5,900 and 6,900 baht (VIP package) baht. However, VIP packages are already sold out. Tickets can be purchased at all Counter Service outlets in 7-Eleven stores nationwide and via allticket.com.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to legal and ethical standards in managing cross-border issues with Cambodia, following criticism over the use of psychological tactics near the frontier.

In response to questions about whether the airing of documentaries and eerie sound effects constituted a gradual escalation of measures to push back Cambodian nationals, Mr Anutin, also the interior minister, said that he had already delegated full authority to the military to make operational decisions. This included matters of diplomatic engagement, which fall under the remit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reporters also inquired whether the use of ghostly sound effects near the border might constitute a violation of human rights, given that some members of the Senate had raised concerns.

The prime minister said that he had yet to listen to the audio himself, explaining that he had spent the entire weekend in the field.

Nonetheless, he emphasised that all actions must remain within the bounds of the law – both Thai and international – and must comply with universally accepted norms and principles.

When asked whether such tactics might damage Thailand’s standing on the international stage, Mr Anutin replied: ‘We are safeguarding our sovereignty.’

On Sunday evening, the ghost-themed broadcast with an open-air film screening near the border was changed to a documentary titled Camp 511, which recounts historical events involving Cambodian refugees who once fled violence in their homeland. Thailand had extended humanitarian support by offering them refuge.

The documentary, presented in the Khmer language, was previously published on the Royal Thai Army’s Facebook page.

It describes the history of ‘Camp 511’, known officially as the Nong Chan Refugee Camp, which sheltered Cambodians escaping the Cambodian Civil War approximately 40 years ago.

A key segment of the film states: ‘Nong Chan did more than welcome strangers. It gave them a chance to grow rice, farm, and begin life anew. But some refused to return home, establishing new roots on Thai soil. And today, they seek to encroach and harm Thai soldiers.’

On Monday, a report from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit revealed that the team had discovered two additional anti-personnel landmines during operations in the Ban Nong Ya Kaeo area in Sa Kaeo’s Khok Sung district.

The first device was identified as a fixed-position anti-personnel mine of the MN79 type, fully operational. Nearby, a second device was found – an operational fixed-position anti-personnel mine of the PMN type.

Both mines were safely neutralised and removed by the EOD team in accordance with standard procedures.

Since the beginning of the clearance mission, from Friday until Monday, a total of seven anti-personnel landmines have been discovered in the area.

SET-listed Global Power Synergy (GPSC) is planning to co-invest in a small modular reactor (SMR) overseas to prepare the company for a similar nuclear power plant project in Thailand.

An SMR is a type of nuclear power technology with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

GPSC, the power generation arm of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, views SMR power plants as a reliable solution to meet its customers’ energy demands, especially for businesses seeking low-carbon, clean energy alternatives.

The company is in talks with a prospective business partner to jointly carry out an SMR project, with a deal expected to be completed next year, said Sirimet Leepagorn, president and acting chief operating officer of GPSC.

The targeted partnership would also supply power to an overseas petrochemical complex, he said.

The deal could pave the way for developing an SMR project in Thailand, provided the country opens up opportunities for private sector involvement in such plants, said Mr Sirimet.

“We may talk with our partner about investing in an SMR project here,” he said.

GPSC is confident it can smoothly adopt the SMR technology, thanks to budget availability and a plan to educate and train its employees on nuclear power know-how.

The joint project requires an investment of roughly US$6 million per MW.

SMRs have the potential to help Thailand generate more clean power and ensure long-term national energy security because, unlike renewable energy, nuclear energy enables power plant operators to deliver a steady supply of electricity. The sun and wind are intermittent sources of energy as their electricity generation capacity depends largely on weather patterns.

SMR technology is capable of reliably meeting domestic electricity needs while lowering carbon emissions, aligning with PTT’s net-zero target, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, said Mr Sirimet.

A 30-year-old woman hiking on Doi Pui Luang was seriously injured when struck by lightning during a thunderstorm on Sunday evening, leading to a difficult two-hour emergency evacuation down the mountain.

Reports said she was struck by lightning about 6pm.

She was among about 20 tourists caught on the mountain by the storm while hiking near Ban Huai Hi in tambon Huai Pu Ling of Muang district.

The woman, a Thai identified only as Pattaraphon, was left unconscious with critical injuries, according to local news reports. Her companions gave her cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A rescue team carried the injured woman down the mountain in heavy rain, the trail slippery and the footing treacherous. It took them more than two hours to reach the bottom.

Reports said the woman was responsive during the trip to Srisangwan Hospital, where she was admitted at 8.45pm. Ms Pattaraphon has serious burns and was transferred to Nakornping Hospital in Chiang Mai. She is reportedly a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat and had travelled to the North from Bangkok.

Muang Mae Hong Son chief Yutthana Jaoduree warned visitors to exercise caution during stormy weather in such circumstances. They should turn off their phones and other electronic devices, and avoid taking shelter under tall trees or in huts in open areas.

Local residents said lightning strikes were common on Doi Pui Luang at this time of year and often killed livestock.