Mukdahan man dies in sleep ‘from exposure to cold’

By Niran Chaichutikan 
The Nation

 

 

A local man died in his sleep in Mukdahan’s Mung district on Monday after drinking rice whiskey, with his companion saying he might have died due to exposure to the cold.

Bandasak Hongsala, 54, was found dead on Tuesday morning by his cousin Boonchit Boonsila, 45, who reportedly had woken up at 5am and put a blanket on him before falling asleep in the same room. 

 

The two men had drank rice whiskey together the previous night “to keep warm”, Boonchit said.

 

Boonchit woke up hours later, lit a fire and, upon finding that Bandasak was dead, alerted Bung Uthai village headman Chaiyaporn Pha-oo to call police at 9am. 

 

Bandasak’s body did not show any trace of injuries and his relatives said they were sure that he had died of exposure, so police released the body for religious rites.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30333217

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-05

 

Contrary to popular belief that alcohol rejuvenates in cold weather it is, in fact, an excellent way to accelerate the onset of hypothermia.

 

Hypothermia - Wikipedia

"Alcohol consumption increases the risk of hypothermia by its action as a vasodilator. It increases blood flow to the skin and extremities, making a person feel warm, while increasing heat loss. Between 33% and 73% of hypothermia cases are complicated by alcohol.^"

 

Alcohol is an important factor in the numerous hypothermia deaths of "rough sleepers".

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

Bandasak’s body did not show any trace of injuries and his relatives said they were sure that he had died of exposure, so police released the body for religious rites.

I am lost for words..

Yup,a low of 17C at night is sure to give you hypothermia.

 

Thank heavens there where no Norwegians there, imagine the death toll.

I think that every "exposure related death" should be subject to autopsy in Thailand.  Regardless of the alcohol intake, a low temperature of 16-17 degrees is just not enough to kill anyone.  I believe that many a partner has escaped murder charges this way!

22 hours ago, kotsak said:

I am lost for words..

 

13 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

Yup,a low of 17C at night is sure to give you hypothermia.

 

Thank heavens there where no Norwegians there, imagine the death toll.

 

2 hours ago, mlmcleod said:

I think that every "exposure related death" should be subject to autopsy in Thailand.  Regardless of the alcohol intake, a low temperature of 16-17 degrees is just not enough to kill anyone.  I believe that many a partner has escaped murder charges this way!

Sometimes it´s hard to understand some posts. Why are we lost for words, and why in the world would a temperature of 16-17 degrees not be enough for hypothermia to set in?
We could ask as much as some posters would at least take some time to study and find the real facts before making silly statements.

As an example how hypotermia can develop in a temperature of 16-17 degrees, all you have to do is figure out how long time you can svim in water of this temperature. All to easy, right?
Ok, let´s say that it´s a differens between beeing in water and sleeping inside or outside a house. That doesn´t matter though. Here it was a clear intake of alcohol, which is proven to accellerate early stages of hypothermia as well as work as a coolant for the body. If you after alcohol intake and 16-17 degrees temperature add a blowing fan to prevent mosquito bites, and maybe the lack of a blanket for too many hours. What result do you 3 people above think we get then? Hypothermia, right?

23 hours ago, kotsak said:

I am lost for words..

I just gave you the purple cup award for that.... but as your lost for words, I had to repost it ??????

47 minutes ago, Get Real said:

 

Sometimes it´s hard to understand some posts. Why are we lost for words, and why in the world would a temperature of 16-17 degrees not be enough for hypothermia to set in?
We could ask as much as some posters would at least take some time to study and find the real facts before making silly statements.

 

How strange..... surely none of these comments actually need answering.

 

That said, whilst silly statements do indeed abound, IMHO, the silliest has to be in the OP

 

23 hours ago, webfact said:

his relatives said they were sure that he had died of exposure, so police released the body

 

Monty python would have a field day.... right then, show of hands. Who’s for exposure?... right... four hands then... good oh... exposure it is, then.

 

23 hours ago, kotsak said:

I am lost for words..

Me to !