Justice Ministry to Award 300,000 Baht to Teacher's Widow
The Justice Ministry will award 300,000 baht to the widow of a 30-year-old teacher whose husband died after a doctor at Sankamiilo Hospital misdiagnosed his heart condition as a panic attack and refused to perform an EKG test.
Justice Minister Rudtapol Naorawat announced on July 20 that the Department of Rights and Liberties has received a compensation request in the case of a 30-year-old teacher's husband who died from coronary artery disease after a doctor at Sankamiilo Hospital refused to perform an EKG test and incorrectly diagnosed the condition as panic attack. The minister stated that the department will not await the outcome of disciplinary investigations by the hospital, as compensation is governed by law separate from employment discipline. The preliminary compensation amount being considered for the deceased's family is 300,000 baht. Deputy Director Theeriyut Kaewsing of the Department of Rights and Liberties also discussed the Lung Bpiek case, in which prosecutors have scheduled to indict seven police officers from Aran Prathet Police Station on charges related to the Enforced Disappearance Act on July 22. Kaewsing explained that under current law, forced disappearance includes not only cases where someone vanishes permanently but also temporary disappearances without legal protection where family contact is lost or family members do not know the person's fate. He noted this is the first case of law enforcement officers being prosecuted for enforced disappearance and torture involving a civilian victim, and said Lung Bpiek has received full assistance and remains under the care of department officials.
