Ayutthaya police criticised for allegedly mistaking stroke symptoms for intoxication
The family of a Thai man who remains in critical condition is preparing legal action against police in Ayutthaya province, alleging officers mistook his stroke symptoms for intoxication and delayed treatment.
A Thai woman approached the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on March 5, asking for help to seek justice for her husband, 42 year old Teeramit. She said he has been in serious condition in hospital since the incident on March 1.
Teeramit works as a delivery driver and left home in his pickup truck as usual that day. His wife said his symptoms began while he was driving, including weakness in his arms and legs and slurred speech.
She said Teeramit tried to maintain control of the vehicle and managed to enter a petrol station in Ayutthaya province to ask for help, but his condition deteriorated quickly. His pickup then hit a parked motorcycle, prompting the motorcycle owner to call police.
According to the account provided to Saimai Survive, Teeramit got out of the vehicle and made an SOS hand signal to police and people at the scene, but officers did not respond. Police reportedly concluded the case as drunk driving and took him to a police station.
Teeramit later lost consciousness at the station, after which officers realised he was suffering from a medical condition. He was taken to hospital, but doctors told her the delay meant parts of his brain were damaged and could not fully recover. She said Teeramit underwent emergency surgery but remains in critical condition.
Teeramit’s wife blamed officers for the alleged delay in treatment and questioned whether Thai police had sufficient understanding of hand signals used to request help. She wanted police and relevant agencies to take responsibility for her husband’s condition.
Ayutthaya Provincial Police commander Surawut Saengrungrueang said officers acted according to procedure. Teeramit was taken to the police station at 4.44am and sent to hospital at 5am.
Surawut stated that officers monitored Teeramit closely until 8am, before he was transferred to another hospital for further treatment at 10am.
He added that Thai police officers study hand signals, but it was still unclear whether officers saw the SOS sign, whether it was made before police arrived.
Following the footage shared on social media, police officer was seen standing nearby and filming Teeramit when he was doing the sign.
Surawut said body camera footage from officers involved would be reviewed and that disciplinary action would be taken if wrongdoing is found.
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