A woman in her 50s died after being found unconscious in a bathroom at Khon Kaen Regional Hospital in the early hours of 16 August, suffering a major brain haemorrhage, the hospital director has said.
Her death has prompted questions from relatives over patient supervision and triggered anger over abusive social-media comments made while she was in hospital. The hospital says it is examining communication with the family and has denied that a nurse alleged to have posted an inappropriate comment worked there.
Hospital says patient had been improving
Dr Thanasit Praiphong, director of Khon Kaen Regional Hospital, told reporters on 17 August that the woman had attended its emergency department on 15 August after three days of chills, body aches and red rashes.
She underwent blood and urine tests before being admitted. Doctors diagnosed sepsis and a suspected drug-allergy rash, carried out blood cultures and X-rays, and gave antibiotics.
According to Dr Thanasit, the patient was conscious throughout, although she still had a fever. Her condition then improved, her fever eased, she could communicate normally and her vital signs were stable. The hospital considered her ready for discharge.
The hospital classified her as a green-level patient on admission, meaning she was placed in an observation area, rather than urgent-care category, Dr Thanasit said. He said treatment had followed safety and medical-care standards.
At about 03:00 on 16 August, she was found collapsed and unconscious in a bathroom, with low vital signs. A CT scan showed a large brain haemorrhage pressing on her brainstem, causing her condition to deteriorate.
Doctors discussed the prognosis, possible surgery and its risks with the family. The family chose not to proceed with surgery and took her home, where she later died.
Family raises care and communication concerns
The woman's son said online that she had fallen in the bathroom, striking her head, after her condition had appeared to improve. He questioned why she had been allowed to go alone and why relatives were not contacted until about 04:00.
The hospital has CCTV coverage in the ward area and at the bathroom entrance, but no cameras inside the bathroom. Dr Thanasit said staff had already spoken with the family and would attend the funeral and discuss the matter directly.
The online debate began after the woman posted online from her hospital bed: "If they don't check me, I might as well die at home." A popular Facebook page shared the post, and commenters responded with criticism, including remarks telling her to go home and die.
Dr Thanasit said such comments were professionally unacceptable. He confirmed that a nurse accused of making one of the comments was not employed by Khon Kaen Regional Hospital.
The family, who were holding funeral rites when reporters visited, declined interviews and said they did not want further publicity. They said they were waiting to speak with the hospital director.
Picture the woman posted online courtesy of Manager Online
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18 August 2026
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