Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A young woman received a electric shock and collapsed in full view of police officers and reporters at Phra Samut Chedi Police Station in the early hours of the morning of 14 May, after plugging in her phone charger at the public service area.

 

The incident occurred at around 04:30 as Police Sub-Lieutenant Weera Wutthisiri was taking a statement from Mr Patiphat 22, who had earlier reported being shot at by a group of youths near the old pier in Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan.

 

While officers and several journalists were present, Mr Patiphat’s friend, Ms Yatika, 23, was waiting in the public seating area of the station. She plugged her mobile phone, using a two-metre charging cable, into a wall socket to charge the device.

 

According to eyewitnesses, shortly after plugging in her phone, Ms Yatika cried out suddenly, before collapsing backward off the chair and convulsing on the ground. Officers, Mr Patiphat, and nearby reporters rushed to assist.

 

A mobile phone charger cable was found lying beside her body, still connected to the wall socket. It was immediately removed and basic first aid was administered while emergency services were contacted. Ms Yatika was later transported to a nearby hospital.

 

At the hospital, she was reportedly disoriented and had difficulty responding to questions. Medical staff observed blistering injuries on the back of her right hand, consistent with electrical burns.

 

Mr Patiphat, recounting the events, stated that he and a friend had been attacked and shot at around 02:30, prompting him to report the assault to police. Ms Yatika had arrived later to support him during the legal process. While he was giving his statement, she attempted to charge her phone before the incident occurred.

 

He said he had no idea where she had bought the charger or how it could have caused an electric shock. Investigations are ongoing into whether the charger, electrical outlet, or other factors were responsible for the incident.

 

Police officials have not commented on the safety of the station’s electrical facilities, but the incident has raised concerns over equipment standards and public safety at official premises.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-15.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

but the incident has raised concerns over equipment standards and public safety at official premises.

The description of the incident is somewhat unclear.

But I have no idea why the outlet at the station could cause this accident.

Much likely a faulty charger that connected 230V to the USB cable.

They are supposed to electrocute you after being found guilty

Guess it makes a change from the plastic bag over the head.

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

They are supposed to electrocute you after being found guilty

Very good! 

Thailand seems to use the USA system of two pins. Without an earth there is always a potential danger of an electric shock.

7 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

The description of the incident is somewhat unclear.

But I have no idea why the outlet at the station could cause this accident.

Much likely a faulty charger that connected 230V to the USB cable.

I have a shrewd idea where charger/cable were made

I bet it wasn't made in the USA.

 

The crapy chargers have caused quite a few electrocutions..they are of a poor (cheap) design they fail in an unsafe way leading to potentially fatal voltages /amps at the supposed safe end of the cable.

Exactly...I doubt very much that the wiring at the station is at fault. A cheaply-made charger is most likely to blame.

Why is there not an earth wire,can't anyone workout how to use one or they don't care in Thailand.Safety first.

3 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Thailand seems to use the USA system of two pins. Without an earth there is always a potential danger of an electric shock.

Phone chargers only use 2 pins, not earth, they should be double insulated and have isolation components to stop mains voltages getting to the charging cable, in the past we have seen cheap Chinese chargers failing this isolation.

3 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Thailand seems to use the USA system of two pins. Without an earth there is always a potential danger of an electric shock.

It’s a three pin system that allows 2 pin connection for appliances that are double insulated. 
chargers bought for 20 baht at markets however may not have the best level of QA before despatch. 
in the uk ,there was a period where chargers were exploding regularly(not the same once, obvs), albeit because efags were being charged with Nokia chargers

20 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Phone chargers only use 2 pins, not earth, they should be double insulated and have isolation components to stop mains voltages getting to the charging cable, in the past we have seen cheap Chinese chargers failing this isolation.

But the wall socket needs 3 pin.

20 hours ago, Free the 115 said:

It’s a three pin system that allows 2 pin connection for appliances that are double insulated. 
chargers bought for 20 baht at markets however may not have the best level of QA before despatch. 
in the uk ,there was a period where chargers were exploding regularly(not the same once, obvs), albeit because efags were being charged with Nokia chargers

I agree with you

On 5/16/2025 at 1:47 PM, Photoguy21 said:

But the wall socket needs 3 pin.

No. It’s a three pin outlet, but unlike uk sockets, the Earth is not gated, so can accept 2 pins without issue

16 hours ago, Free the 115 said:

No. It’s a three pin outlet, but unlike uk sockets, the Earth is not gated, so can accept 2 pins without issue

Exactly and that is part of the problem. The USA only has 2 pin sockets and consequently no earth protection.