Hospital Admits Fault After Construction During Teen's Care
A hospital director in Bang Lamung, Chonburi admitted that construction workers should not have drilled and renovated a semi-critical care room while a 17-year-old patient was inside. The teen, known as "Nong Ton Khao," later died, with the death certificate citing a central nervous system tumor. The family says her condition worsened after the work began, but they did not complain immediately because they were focused on her treatment.
From the case of "Nong Ton Khao," a 17-year-old Mathayom 5 student who died after suspicions arose that workers entered to drill and renovate a room while she was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bang Lamung district. Recently, reporters visited the site and met with the hospital director, who inspected the semi-critical patient room on the third floor of Building 5, which has 11 beds in total, though photography was not permitted. The director also reviewed video clips recorded by relatives. The director admitted that conducting repairs while patients were present was inappropriate, or that patients should have been moved first. He stated the workers were outside contractors and worked for a short time, and opened a direct channel for complaints. Meanwhile, the parents revealed they did not complain immediately because at the time they were solely focused on their child's treatment.
From the case of "Nong Ton Khao," age 17, a Mathayom 5 student, the family came forward demanding a hospital in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province, explain the facts. They stated that while their daughter was receiving treatment in a patient room, about 4-5 workers entered to drill and renovate the area, with only a cloth covering the patient's face to protect against dust. Before her condition deteriorated later and she died on November 11 at Rajavithi Hospital in Bangkok. The death certificate listed the cause of death as "central nervous system tumor."
Most recently, on November 13, 2026, reporters traveled to the hospital following the family's complaint to investigate the facts and hear the hospital's explanation. They met with the hospital director, who provided information about the incident and took reporters to inspect the site.
The inspection found the room in question is a semi-critical patient room on the third floor of Building 5, with 11 beds total and nursing staff on duty at all times, as most patients require close monitoring.
Regarding workers entering to repair or renovate inside the patient room, the hospital director admitted to reporters that such action should not have occurred while patients were still staying there, or if necessary, patients should have been moved from the work area first for appropriateness and safety.
However, from information the director received, the workers who entered that day were outside contractors, not hospital staff, and worked for a short time, which differs from the family's claim of continuous work for many hours.
The director also raised the question of why the family did not notify staff at the time of the incident, noting that if relatives observed inappropriate work practices or had safety concerns, they could have immediately informed the nurses or staff on duty to address the problem. He questioned why time was allowed to pass before filing a complaint.
At the same time, the hospital director urged patient families and the public using the services that if they find staff practices inappropriate or experience inconvenience in medical treatment, they should report it immediately.
