A 42-year-old former factory worker died after being bitten by a centipede in Si Racha, Chon Buri, with her partner claiming they could not afford treatment after discovering her social security coverage had expired.
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On 4 June 2026, rescue volunteers from the Pure Yiang Tai Foundation in Si Racha were alerted to a death at a rented room in Soi Alliance-Mab Hin Soi 6, Moo 6, Bo Win subdistrict, Si Racha district. Police from Bo Win Police Station attended the scene and found the body of Mrs Uthai, 42, a traditional Thai massage therapist who had previously worked in a factory.
She was found lying on her back with rigid legs and darkened lips. Investigators reported no signs of assault or theft.
Her boyfriend, Mr Wutthinan, 27, a security guard, said he was working a night shift when he learned that she had been bitten by a centipede at the massage shop where she worked. He collected her and took her to a private hospital because she believed she still had social security coverage from her former factory job.
According to Mr Wutthinan, hospital staff checked her details and found that her social security entitlement had expired. He said staff asked how they wished to proceed, explaining that treatment at the private hospital would incur significant costs. He said he could not afford the fees and intended to use Thailand’s 30-baht healthcare scheme at a state hospital.
As it was late at night, the couple instead bought antihistamine and pain relief medication from a convenience store before returning home. Mr Wutthinan later returned to work and last spoke with her by telephone shortly before 5am. When she failed to answer further calls later that morning, he asked her sister to check on her and was subsequently informed that she had died.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
He said Mrs Uthai had a history of high blood pressure and allergic reactions to venomous animals, having previously required hospital treatment after a similar incident. He questioned whether the private hospital had provided sufficient advice and said the family would discuss possible next steps.
The hospital stated that the patient arrived between 1am and 2am complaining of foot pain and swelling after a centipede bite. Staff said she was alert and able to communicate normally. After checking her social security status, they found that her entitlement had ended and informed the couple of two nearby state hospitals when asked for recommendations. The hospital said the patient and her partner then chose to leave.
Amarin reported that authorities have sent the body for further examination to determine the exact cause of death. Family members later confirmed they did not wish to pursue legal action and said the initial death reported listed the cause of death as “unknown”. They planned to return her body to her home village of Ban Wang Ta Thao in Na Yang Klak subdistrict, Thep Sathit district, Chaiyaphum province, for funeral rites.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 7 June 2026
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