Bangkok Pattaya Hospital..Where is the Care?...

[steviekes]

From the Pattaya People

Hit and Run Truck Tragedy

Speeding Truck Driver Kills American Motorcyclist

A speeding truck driver hit a foreign motorcyclist and caused him serious injuries in the morning of 28^th April at the junction between Soi Korphai and Bongkot on South Pattaya Road.

The injured foreigner was found to be Mr. Matt Gerald Hayes aged 32, from Ohio in the USA.

Witnesses to the crash helped give the man first aid before the Sawang Rescuers arrived to take him to hospital.

They stated that the truck, license plate no. 83-0897 Chonburi, is a construction company truck. It came at high speed and hit the American traveling on his rented Honda Wave motorbike at full force, when he was trying to make a turn into Soi Korphai, leaving the man with serious head wounds, and then sped off without stopping. Sadly, Mr. Hayes died whilst he was being transferred from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya to Chonburi hospital.

Police Captain Suriya Wariwong from Pattaya Police Station was there on that day and is in charge of this case.

He stated that is this case; the police have found the ten wheeled truck belonging to a construction company that hit the American and seized it. The police have also contacted the owner of the construction company and informed the representative of the insurance company of the truck to be responsible for the payment to the deceased man’s family.

According to the act of legislation, each deceased person’s family will be paid 35,000 Baht from the motorbike’s insurance immediately. Other than that, the insurance company also has to pay another amount of money to the deceased person’s family – and also the insurance company of the truck, but the amount depends on what kind of agreement they have with the insurance company.

In the case of Mr. Hayes, he had rented the motorbike that he was on in the accident that day.

At the moment the police have cooperated with the insurance company of the truck and have issued a letter to the owner of the construction company to be questioned at the police station so that the police would know the name of the driver of the truck. This is to be certain of which party was wrong in the accident. However, at the moment the police have already charged “irresponsible driving, causing death, and fleeing the scene (hit and run)”, until the driver is found and questioned. Once they know who the driver is; the police will ask him to come to the station for questioning. If he refuses then the police are forced to issue an arrest warrant for his capture. If he is found guilty then according to law he will be imprisoned and fined. These are the basics of these kinds of cases. The Pattaya Police give their word that they will definitely investigate this case further to serve justice.

As for Bangkok Hospital Pattaya that Mr. Hayes was sent to that morning, Pattaya People staff have tried to find more information about what happened. We talked to the Nurse responsible at the Contact Center of the hospital; Miss Wachiraporn Kaenchan, and she told us that usually, patients that come in from accidents or any kind of emergencies will be accepted straight away and then further proceedings of transferring the patient will be made later – after they have aided the patient first. She also does not understand what happened that morning because this kind of case has never occurred before.

Friends of the deceased wrote to us complaining about the whole procedure of how Thai people handle this kind of case. A British friend of Mr. Hayes stated: “I’ve been told he was taken to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital still alive, but they would not accept him because he was not carrying any ID, so he was put in the back of a pick-up truck and sent all the way to Chonburi and died of internal bleeding on the way. If they would have accepted him at BKK Pattaya then maybe he would still be alive! Maybe if this turns out to be true, you could put a warning in your paper for foreigners telling them to have ID and a copy of their insurance on them at all times? Matt was a well loved teacher at the BEST Burapa Bi-lingual School, Pattaya and will be very missed there.” Graham Nuttall. UK. More friends wrote to Pattaya People Media Group not long after; also saying that Mr. Hayes died on the way to hospital. They are all very upset as their friend was taken on an hour long trip to Chonburi hospital when there are numerous hospitals here in Pattaya and he died in the ambulance on this unnecessary journey. They would like to know; why was he treated this way? They are demanding answers. Why has the killer not been found?

“All Matt’s friends and I only want to know what happened on that tragic day we would be very grateful if you could investigate further on our behalf. The heartless individual who hit Matt and left him to die in the road has still not been traced as of today (Wednesday 2nd). Why when the weapon he used, the truck was located very quickly? I believe a human life should be saved at all cost and immediate treatment administered ASAP at the nearest hospital regardless of the victim’s status be they Thai, European, American and of course wealthy or poor. Matt was a teacher at Best school here in Pattaya, a quiet man. He did not drink or smoke and was well liked by all his Thai and foreign work colleagues and students. He will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace. Thank you again.” Jon Baxter.

This story should be highlighted because this case can be a warning to stop things like this tragic incident happening again. At the time we went to Press it was impossible to get further information from the Investigating Officer but Pattaya People Weekly will certainly follow up with this tragic story.

[steviekes]

This is a copy of the letter I sent to the Pattaya People. A demonstration is planned at Bangkok Pattaya next week. Please pp me for details.

Where is the care?

Editor:

On Saturday, April 29, 2007 my friend and former colleague 32 year-old Matt Gerald Hayes was struck by a truck as he rode his motorcycle in South Pattaya—a case of hit and run. Volunteer ambulance workers arrived on the scene quickly and took Matt to a well known, state-of-the-art hospital in North Pattaya on Sukumvit Road. Upon arrival at this well advertised hospital Matt was denied treatment because it could not be ascertained that he would be able to pay his hospital bill! (he could) The volunteer ambulance men were told by staff at the hospital to take Matt to Chonburi—an hour away. On route, Matt died. He will be greatly missed by his friends, fellow teachers, family and the children he taught at BEST school. There are two questions that plague me;

1. Why was Matt denied proper treatment that could have saved his young life at this “renowned” hospital?

2. Where does the Hippocratic Oath come into play with this distinguished medical establishment?

If this is how legally employed foreigners are being treated by this hospital, then this hospital’s services should be boycotted.

Answers to the questions and comments are awaited.

Yours truly,

Steve Kessler

[philliphn]

This is a copy of the letter I sent to the Pattaya People. A demonstration is planned at Bangkok Pattaya next week. Please pp me for details.

Where is the care?

Editor:

On Saturday, April 29, 2007 my friend and former colleague 32 year-old Matt Gerald Hayes was struck by a truck as he rode his motorcycle in South Pattaya—a case of hit and run. Volunteer ambulance workers arrived on the scene quickly and took Matt to a well known, state-of-the-art hospital in North Pattaya on Sukumvit Road. Upon arrival at this well advertised hospital Matt was denied treatment because it could not be ascertained that he would be able to pay his hospital bill! (he could) The volunteer ambulance men were told by staff at the hospital to take Matt to Chonburi—an hour away. On route, Matt died. He will be greatly missed by his friends, fellow teachers, family and the children he taught at BEST school. There are two questions that plague me;

1. Why was Matt denied proper treatment that could have saved his young life at this "renowned" hospital?

2. Where does the Hippocratic Oath come into play with this distinguished medical establishment?

If this is how legally employed foreigners are being treated by this hospital, then this hospital's services should be boycotted.

Answers to the questions and comments are awaited.

Yours truly,

Steve Kessler

The actions of this hsopital are disgusting!

[Jimmyd]

Shocking if true.

[steviekes]

Shocking if true.

It is unfortunately true.

[Phil Conners]

Everybody in Pattaya know this to be true of Bangkok-Pattaya, it's just a luxury hotel in disguise as a hospital. Money money money. What I find most difficult to understand is that this is the default hospital where ALL farang accident victims are brought. Knowing their money-grabbing attitude why don't they bring accident victims to Memorial or even Banglamung? At least they would get treatment there. But perhaps they don't pay a kickback to the ambulance drivers?

Also, everybody in Pattaya will have noticed how trucks, particularly cement mixers and buses, drive with neck breaking speeds through Sukhumvit every day. More often than not speeds are in excess of 100 km/h and they blast millimeters from other cars and bikes, honking their 140 db compressor horns to make way. Again, the law of the strongest. The cops? They're busy looking the other way or fining some poor sod 100 baht for driving without a helmet or seatbelt (not that I encourage that, but as a matter of priorities there are a lot of things they could spend their time better doing).

I'd be interested in hearing what actions you are planning, and I'm sure many others are too - why not post them here... I'd have though the most effective action would be to make sure the foreign press (USA and Europe) are informed of this treatment of tourists here. Hit them on the money, perhaps they will wake up!

Edited May 5, 2007 by Phil Conners

[Jimmyd]

Shocking if true.

It is unfortunately true.

I agree that I was almost certainly overly cautious. My condolences to Matt's family and friends.

[PhilHarries]

Why didn't they take him to PIC in soi 4? Surely that's a lot closer?

[mopenyang]

I'd be interested in hearing what actions you are planning, and I'm sure many others are too - why not post them here...

I'd have though the most effective action would be to make sure the foreign press (USA and Europe) are informed of this treatment of tourists here. Hit them on the money, perhaps they will wake up!

Agreed.

All information and details of planned actions including any demonstration need to be posted here.

Not that it matters, but it does appear that the deceased was not a tourist but rather a resident teacher in Thailand.

I find the story very troubling and some questions definitely require complete and transparent answers.

[mosquitoman]

Why didn't they take him to PIC in soi 4? Surely that's a lot closer?

I wonder if certain hospitals pay comission to rescue services for bringing Injured Ferangs to them? wiith an option to rejecvt them if they have no insurance etc.

MM

[Phil Conners]

Not that it matters, but it does appear that the deceased was not a tourist but rather a resident teacher in Thailand.

The way it was explained, the guy was rejected for not having ID. How could they know if he was a tourist or resident? As you said, it should not matter, if people arrive dying to ANY hospital it should be a human right to have first aid administered to the extend the hospital is able, payment assured or not!

I wonder if certain hospitals pay comission to rescue services for bringing Injured Ferangs to them? wiith an option to rejecvt them if they have no insurance etc.

MM

That's what I've heard -- and knowing BP it would not surprise me one bit!

Edited May 5, 2007 by Phil Conners

[steviekes]

Everybody in Pattaya know this to be true of Bangkok-Pattaya, it's just a luxury hotel in disguise as a hospital. Money money money. What I find most difficult to understand is that this is the default hospital where ALL farang accident victims are brought. Knowing their money-grabbing attitude why don't they bring accident victims to Memorial or even Banglamung? At least they would get treatment there. But perhaps they don't pay a kickback to the ambulance drivers?

Also, everybody in Pattaya will have noticed how trucks, particularly cement mixers and buses, drive with neck breaking speeds through Sukhumvit every day. More often than not speeds are in excess of 100 km/h and they blast millimeters from other cars and bikes, honking their 140 db compressor horns to make way. Again, the law of the strongest. The cops? They're busy looking the other way or fining some poor sod 100 baht for driving without a helmet or seatbelt (not that I encourage that, but as a matter of priorities there are a lot of things they could spend their time better doing).

I'd be interested in hearing what actions you are planning, and I'm sure many others are too - why not post them here... I'd have though the most effective action would be to make sure the foreign press (USA and Europe) are informed of this treatment of tourists here. Hit them on the money, perhaps they will wake up!

[steviekes]

Everybody in Pattaya know this to be true of Bangkok-Pattaya, it's just a luxury hotel in disguise as a hospital. Money money money. What I find most difficult to understand is that this is the default hospital where ALL farang accident victims are brought. Knowing their money-grabbing attitude why don't they bring accident victims to Memorial or even Banglamung? At least they would get treatment there. But perhaps they don't pay a kickback to the ambulance drivers?

Also, everybody in Pattaya will have noticed how trucks, particularly cement mixers and buses, drive with neck breaking speeds through Sukhumvit every day. More often than not speeds are in excess of 100 km/h and they blast millimeters from other cars and bikes, honking their 140 db compressor horns to make way. Again, the law of the strongest. The cops? They're busy looking the other way or fining some poor sod 100 baht for driving without a helmet or seatbelt (not that I encourage that, but as a matter of priorities there are a lot of things they could spend their time better doing).

I'd be interested in hearing what actions you are planning, and I'm sure many others are too - why not post them here... I'd have though the most effective action would be to make sure the foreign press (USA and Europe) are informed of this treatment of tourists here. Hit them on the money, perhaps they will wake up!

Very good idea about contacting foreign media. Tomorrow I'll visit Pattaya Expats Club, Grand Sole Hotel, between 10.30-11.00, to let them know about what happened. Details of the protest will be posted as soon as finalised. Thanks for your support.

[mosquitoman]

If the accident victim had been a Thai would the emergency services have taken him straight to BP hospital?

MM

[onzestan]

I can only acknowledge that this is standard procedure in ALL private hospitals, PIC included.

Unfortunately again someone had to die before any action is taken.

My deepest feeling of sympathy for this poor young man's family and friends

onzestan

[Phil Conners]

If the accident victim had been a Thai would the emergency services have taken him straight to BP hospital?

Absolutely not! They would have gone directly to Memorial or Banglamung!

[Tammi]

This is very troubling. The hospital owes us full details as to what medical observations it made why it apparently did not give treatment. I presume that Matt was unconscious or incoherent and if that was the case how, in the name of God, could the hospital send him on an hour's journey in the back of a pickup truck - such treatment is outside the bounds of civilized behaviour.

My condolences to Matt's family and friends.

[redwood13]

Why didn't they take him to PIC in soi 4? Surely that's a lot closer?

My impression from past articles and posts is that Pattaya International, though it has an emergency room, is not equipped to handle major trauma cases.

-redwood

[mosquitoman]

If the accident victim had been a Thai would the emergency services have taken him straight to BP hospital?

Absolutely not! They would have gone directly to Memorial or Banglamung!

Why do they do this I wonder?

MM

[taxexile]

is not equipped to handle major trauma cases.

surely the doctors would be able to stabilise an injured patient before transfer to a more suitable facility. even a final year medical student can do that.

his injuries may have indeed been fatal and he may have died anyway , but any doctor worthy of donning the white coat should have assessed his condition before just chucking him in the back of a pick up.

as a matter of interest , what would happen if an identity free foriegner tried to get urgent treatment at a private hospital in the uk or the usa ?

[Tammi]

is not equipped to handle major trauma cases.

surely the doctors would be able to stabilise an injured patient before transfer to a more suitable facility. even a final year medical student can do that.

his injuries may have indeed been fatal and he may have died anyway , but any doctor worthy of donning the white coat should have assessed his condition before just chucking him in the back of a pick up.

as a matter of interest , what would happen if an identity free foriegner tried to get urgent treatment at a private hospital in the uk or the usa ?

Below is from NHS UK site. Nothing is said about needing ID.

Do you or a family member need emergency hospital treatment?

Accident & Emergency (A&E) or 999: It is often very obvious when emergency care is needed for serious injury or illness. You should get medical attention by either taking the patient to the nearest Accident & Emergency (A & E) department or by phoning 999 for an emergency ambulance.

An emergency is a critical or life threatening situation such as:

Loss of consciousness

Heavy blood loss

Suspected broken bones

Persistent chest pain for 15 minutes or more

Difficulty breathing

Overdose, ingestion or poisoning

Remember to keep calm, do everything you can to help the person, but don't put yourself in danger and don't give the person anything to eat, drink or smoke.

Unless you need emergency medical attention avoid local A&E departments. Doctors and nurses there are equipped to deal with serious cases of injury and illness, not routine and minor ailments. Calling an ambulance won't necessarily mean you are seen any quicker at A&E as the most serious cases are prioritised.

[taxexile]

Below is from NHS UK site

what about a private hospital in the uk ?

[wcr]

Firstly, deep sympathy to the guy and his family.

What people seem to have lost here is these private hospitals are money making machines only. This is not the same as the public hospitals in the UK or EU. They just think money here. Even in a Thai public hospital I think they would be looking for insurance or a guarantee if a farang turned up there injured.

If he had insurance why wasn't he carrying his insurance card? I have both medical and accident insurance. Both policies issue a card. They are kept in my wallet. This should be a lesson to all.

1) Photocopy your passport photo page and visa stamp, reduce it to credit card size and get it laminated. It fits into a wallet/purse easy

2) If you have insurance make sure you carry the card (if issued) or you carry the insurance company name and policy number with you always.

3) If you don't have insurance - GET IT. I am 45 and have full medical insurance including accident insurance with a room rate of 7,500 baht per night and the cost is 40,000 baht per year. GET IT its worth it.

It is too late now for this poor guy, but we have to remember where we are, and that things are done differently to back home.

As for demonstrations. Waste of time IMO. Life is cheap here for their own people, let alone us!

[mosquitoman]

as a matter of interest , what would happen if an identity free foriegner tried to get urgent treatment at a private hospital in the uk or the usa ?

I can only speak for the UK, I have never heard of anyone going to a private hospital for A&E because we have a good network of A&E hospitals run by the national health where no matter what your nationality is you will receive reasonable treatment.

However I think that if an identity free foriegner ended up in a private hospital for some bizzare reason, the staff would at least try and stabilize him or her before sending them onto a hospital that can treat them,

Maybe some one can enlighten us as to what would happen in America (I have my suspicions)

MM

Edited May 5, 2007 by mosquitoman

[wcr]

Maybe some one can enlighten us as to what would happen in America (I have my suspicions)

MM

I think you'll find it would as here? I am not American, but I have heard stories of people being turned away to die in US hospitals because they have no insurance or means to pay.

[Jimmyd]

I think you'll find it would as here? I am not American, but I have heard stories of people being turned away to die in US hospitals because they have no insurance or means to pay.

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that people being turned away in emergency situations in America is rare and illegal.

[Tammi]

as a matter of interest , what would happen if an identity free foriegner tried to get urgent treatment at a private hospital in the uk or the usa ?

I can only speak for the UK, I have never heard of anyone going to a private hospital for A&E because we have a good network of A&E hospitals run by the national health where no matter what your nationality is you will receive reasonable treatment.

However I think that if an identity free foriegner ended up in a private hospital for some bizzare reason, the staff would at least try and stabilize him or her before sending them onto a hospital that can treat them.

Maybe some one can enlighten us as to what would happen in America (I have my suspicions)

MM

I agree with all you say. Anyone will receive free and good emergency treatment at UK national health service A&Es. However, if a person not ordinarily resident in the UK has to stay in hospital, it will probably cost. From what I have read I believe private hospitals will stabilize the patient and send on to NHS A&E which may be better equipped to handle.

And I believe that in USA one would be taken to nearest A&E and stabilized and then almoner if needed would sort out aftercare and paperwork.

And, of course, patient will be in a properly equipped ambulance with a medical team.

I don't think medics in either country would reload into back of pickup truck and send on an hour's journey.

[PattayaDavid]

I think you'll find it would as here? I am not American, but I have heard stories of people being turned away to die in US hospitals because they have no insurance or means to pay.

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that people being turned away in emergency situations in America is rare and illegal.

WCR, your remarks couldn't be any further from the truth.  I think you've been watching too many ridiculous American movies (lol).  Jimmyd, you're right on the money.  Emergency Rooms at American Hospitals, by law, can not turn down medical care for anyone regardless of whether they have ID on their person or have medical insurance.  

For example, the illegal immigrants who are flooding into our country are well aware of this law and take full advantage of it.  They never go in the front door of a hospital, only entering through the back door, the Emergency Room even if they only have a cold because they know that they can receive free treatment.  This causes our Emergency Rooms to be overcrowded, reatment for legitimate patient emergencies to be delayed and a hel_l of a cost burden to the hospitals, which i

 passed on

to the legitimate paying customers and to the rest of the tax paying American citizens.

Edited May 5, 2007 by PattayaDavid

[mosquitoman]

The hippocartic oath certainly has more meaning in the UK, not only because if a private hospital reloaded a patient with life threatening injuries into back of pickup truck and sent them on an hour's journey, the excrement would hit the fan, for that hospital and there staff.

MM

Edited May 5, 2007 by mosquitoman

[Jimmyd]

I'm very curious why they sent him an hour away. Couldn't they have sent him to Banglamung hospital just a kilometer or so away?