Chinese detainee Mingchen Sun, 31, remains on a ventilator after collapsing shortly after arriving at Pattaya Remand Prison, with doctors now suspecting he overdosed on personal medication before entering custody.
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Thailand’s Department of Corrections issued an update on 13 May confirming that Sun, who is facing charges related to firearms and explosives, had regained consciousness and could follow medical instructions. However, he still required respiratory support and was being fed liquid nutrients through a nasal tube.
Doctors at Pattaya Bhattamakun Hospital said Sun was admitted on 11 May after suffering a medical emergency during the prison intake process. Medical staff carried out blood tests, a chest X-ray and a brain CT scan to identify the cause of his condition.
Hospital staff initially suspected an overdose of prescribed medication. During treatment, doctors inserted a nasal tube to clear his digestive system and reportedly found blue liquid inside his stomach before administering antidote medication. Officials said his condition improved afterwards, with increased movement and better responses.
Laboratory tests found no trace of illegal drugs in Sun’s urine. Further blood analysis has been sent for detailed testing for alcohol, benzodiazepines, pesticides, cyanide and other substances. Officials expect the results to be available by Friday or sometime next week.
The Department of Corrections said doctors believed Sun had consumed an excessive amount of medication before arriving at the prison because he became critically ill within two hours of entering the facility. Authorities stressed that all medicines are banned from entering the prison unless approved and inspected by prison medical staff.
Security measures around the hospital have been tightened while Sun remains under treatment. Pattaya Remand Prison has deployed correctional officers to monitor him closely and requested additional support from officers at Royal Thai Police Bang Lamung Police Station and the Provincial Police Region 2 special operations unit. Officers are maintaining round-the-clock security at the hospital.
The Department of Corrections said it was continuing to manage the detainee in line with humanitarian and international detention standards. Officials have not released further details about the medication allegedly involved or the exact circumstances leading up to the collapse.
Daily News reported that authorities are expected to await the outcome of the detailed toxicology tests before making any further statements about the cause of the incident.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 14 May 2026
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