Patient punches nurse in Nonthaburi hospital, cites disrespect
Excessive cannabis use suspected to contribute violent attack
Police immediately transferred a male patient from the hospital to a detention cell after he punched a nurse in the face on Wednesday, June 11, at Pranangklao Hospital in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Excessive cannabis use is suspected to have played a role in the violent outburst.
The assault occurred at around 2pm in front of the nurses’ counter on the sixth floor of Pranangklao Hospital. The attacker was identified as 21 year old Chonnawe, who had been transferred from Bang Bua Thong Hospital.
Chonnawe was initially admitted to Bang Bua Thong Hospital after crashing his motorcycle into a pedestrian. He was then moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Pranangklao Hospital and later transferred to the male patient ward after his condition improved.
He subsequently refused further treatment and demanded to be discharged. He did not allow any nurses to approach him, prompting a 46 year old nurse to try contacting his family via his girlfriend in an attempt to calm him and arrange for his care.
The nurse stepped out of the ward to make a call to Chonnawe’s father at the counter. Chonnawe reportedly pulled out his saline line and ran towards her, unexpectedly punching her in the face and knocking her to the floor.
His girlfriend and other nurses rushed to intervene and called officers from Rattanathibet Police Station to handle the situation.
Chonnawe told police that the nurse spoke to him disrespectfully, which provoked the attack. However, the victim denied ever speaking with him, a claim corroborated by her colleagues.
The nurse sustained serious facial injuries, including a torn lower lip, facial swelling, and a bleeding nose. She was rushed to the emergency unit by her colleagues.
Pranangklao Hospital later issued an official statement condemning the suspect’s actions, pledging to pursue legal action while promising to provide both physical and mental support to the assaulted nurse.
Channel 7 reported that a drug test confirmed the presence of cannabis in Chonnawe’s system. The public has speculated that excessive cannabis use may have contributed to his violent behaviour, possibly fuelling a sense of paranoia.
The victim added that she wanted the families of each patient to provide the medical team with accurate information about any drug or intoxicant use, so that the team could properly handle each patient and prevent this kind of incident from happening again.
Chonnawe was taken into custody and formally charged with physically assaulting a public official performing their duty, resulting in serious injury. The charge carries a penalty of two to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine ranging from 40,000 to 200,000 baht.
He was transferred from Rattanathibet Police Station and placed in temporary detention at Nonthaburi Provincial Court on Thursday, June 12.
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