A private hospital in Ratchaburi has suspended a doctor and initiated an ethics investigation following the death of a 31-year-old man who passed away from a heart attack just hours after being discharged with chest pain, allegedly diagnosed as anxiety. The incident has sparked widespread public outcry and renewed debate over healthcare standards in Thailand.
Patient’s Symptoms and Hospital Visit
Panupong Meesuk reportedly began experiencing sharp pain that radiated from his fingers to his chest, accompanied by a feeling of tightness. His colleagues noticed his excessive sweating over several days, prompting them to arrange for him to be taken to San Camillo Hospital in Ban Pong district. This hospital was his designated facility under Thailand’s social security scheme.
According to his wife, a schoolteacher known online as Kru Sai, Panupong’s symptoms had been present for about a week. Despite colleagues’ concerns and the couple’s insistence that the pain felt cardiac-related, the initial hospital visit proved distressing.
Allegations of Misdiagnosis and Dismissal
Kru Sai recounted that her husband was initially seen by an internal medicine doctor. Due to a history of tendinitis, he was then referred to an orthopaedic specialist. The couple claims they repeatedly explained that the pain was not related to tendons and felt like a heart issue. The orthopaedist, recognizing the symptoms were not musculoskeletal, sent Panupong back to internal medicine.
It was during this second consultation with an internal medicine physician that the situation escalated. Kru Sai alleges that their request for an electrocardiogram (ECG) was refused. She claims the doctor dismissed her concerns, suggesting she was overly anxious due to information found online and that her questions were causing her husband stress, leading to his sweating and perceived panic.
The physician reportedly stated that a man in his early thirties had a low probability of heart disease and questioned the validity of internet-sourced medical information compared to professional judgment. Kru Sai further alleged that the doctor suggested her husband’s symptoms might resolve if he slept separately from her. Despite her persistent pleas and offers to pay for the test privately, the doctor allegedly refused and sent Panupong home with a follow-up appointment scheduled for several days later.
Tragic Outcome and Autopsy Findings
Tragically, Panupong Meesuk collapsed at home around 4 p.m. on July 16, in front of his wife and young child. An autopsy later revealed the cause of death to be two blocked coronary arteries, directly contradicting the anxiety diagnosis.
Kru Sai shared her grief and demand for justice in a widely viewed video on TikTok, which garnered millions of views and ignited public anger. Many users expressed solidarity, sharing similar experiences of feeling dismissed by medical professionals.
Hospital Response and Investigation
San Camillo Hospital issued a statement on July 18, expressing condolences and confirming the suspension of the doctor involved pending a thorough fact-finding investigation. The hospital announced the formation of an independent committee, including external experts, to review the entire treatment process, emphasizing transparency and fairness.
Father Piyasak Wongwai, the hospital director and a Catholic priest, personally attended Panupong’s funeral prayers to apologize to the family. He described the doctor’s alleged conduct as a personal failure unacceptable under medical ethics and assured that the hospital would not shield the individual. He identified the doctor as an internal medicine physician over 70 years old, working part-time, who could not be reached for comment at the time.
The director noted that initial meetings between the doctor and the family yielded conflicting accounts, leaving the resolution to the investigating committee, which includes representatives from the Social Security Office (SSO) and the Medical Council of Thailand. He pledged the hospital’s full cooperation and acceptance of responsibility should legal action be pursued.
Social Security Office Involvement and Potential Penalties
The Social Security Office (SSO) acted swiftly following the public attention. The agency requested a detailed explanation and Panupong’s medical records from the hospital by July 18. An SSO inspection confirmed the timeline of events, from Panupong’s arrival with chest pain and breathlessness to his alleged misdiagnosis and discharge.
If the investigation finds that the hospital’s care fell below the required standards and breached its contract, the SSO has the authority to significantly reduce the hospital’s capacity to serve social security patients. This would represent a substantial financial penalty for a private facility reliant on such contracts.
The SSO also confirmed the benefits Panupong’s heirs are entitled to, including a funeral grant, death benefit, and accumulated pension contributions. Additionally, if substandard medical care is proven to be the cause of death, the family may be eligible for compensation of up to 400,000 baht through the SSO’s medical harm review process.
Broader Implications and Public Health Reminder
This case has reignited a persistent debate in Thailand regarding the quality of care provided to social security beneficiaries at contracted private hospitals, with accusations of cost-cutting measures impacting treatment standards.
Health authorities have used the incident to remind the public that symptoms such as chest tightness combined with heavy sweating are critical warning signs of a potential heart attack and should never be disregarded. The family has stated its intention to pursue the case through all available legal channels.
The suspended doctor, an internal medicine physician over 70 years old, has been a part-time employee at the hospital for over a decade. The hospital director assured that the investigation would be thorough and transparent, and that the hospital would accept responsibility if legal action is taken by the family.
