Sweet tragedy: Woman chokes on Thai dessert
A tragic incident occurred when a woman choked on a traditional Thai dessert and died in front of a neighbour’s house. Medical professionals suspect the cause was a blockage in her airway.
Yesterday, September 26, Natthawut Chantarasamut, an investigator from Ron Phibun Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, received a report of a death in front of a house in Moo 6, Ron Phibun subdistrict, Ron Phibun district.
Natthawut promptly informed his superiors and went to the scene with an on-duty doctor from Ron Phibun Hospital and members of the Siam Ruam Jai Pu In Foundation, Ron Phibun branch. Upon arrival, they found the deceased, identified as 51 year old Yupaporn.
Neighbours reported that before the incident, Yupaporn had bought khanom chan, a traditional Thai dessert, and khanom rang phueng, another sweet treat, to eat. As she walked to the front of Nonglak’s house, her neighbour, she choked on the khanom chan and collapsed.
Some of the dessert was vomited as she struggled for breath. Nonglak, who witnessed the incident, attempted to assist but was unable to save her before she succumbed to the obstruction, leaving the community in shock.
Neighbours immediately alerted police, who arrived shortly thereafter to investigate. Preliminary medical examinations suggest that while Yupaporn was walking and eating the sticky dessert, she may have choked, causing it to lodge in her trachea, leading to asphyxiation.
Khanom chan, made primarily from sticky rice flour, is known for its chewy texture, which can pose a choking hazard, though such incidents are rare, reported KhaoSod.
After conducting a post-mortem examination, the police released the body for funeral rites.
In related news, a Thai man accidentally swallowed a toothbrush and almost choked to death while brushing his teeth. The victim is now safe after a doctor managed to remove the toothbrush from his throat.