Baby Dies at Birth in Korat, Autopsy Confirms Asphyxiation

Picture courtesy of CH7

An autopsy has revealed that a newborn baby in Nakhon Ratchasima died due to lack of oxygen during delivery, following concerns raised by the baby’s parents over the circumstances of the birth and the procedures followed by the hospital.

Last week, a couple contacted the media to request an investigation into a local hospital after their daughter died during childbirth on 2 September. The mother, Ms. Saijai, 38, had her baby’s body sent to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Reporter visits to Suan Noi subdistrict, Suan Noi district, Nakhon Ratchasima, found Ms. Saijai and her husband, Mr. Chuchai, grieving the loss of their child.

Mr. Chuchai stated that the autopsy confirmed the baby died from asphyxiation during delivery. “I had a feeling something went wrong at the hospital,” he said, noting that both his wife and the unborn baby had been healthy and regularly attended check-ups.

He added that if the first hospital had referred his wife to another facility sooner, their daughter might have survived. By the time they arrived at the second hospital, the baby’s heartbeat was no longer detectable. Doctors performed a natural delivery and the baby was born within five minutes, but it was already too late.

The couple said they are not seeking financial compensation, as nothing could replace the life of their first child.

Mr. Chuchai also noted that doctors collected tissue samples from the baby for further examination. The family plans to bring the baby home for funeral rites in Nong Ki district, Buriram province. 

They have not yet decided whether to pursue legal action against the first hospital, stating that they are unsure of the legal procedures and have only filed a police report for the records.

The hospital involved has yet to make any official statement, or confirm if any investigation into the birth is to take place.

  Adapted by Asean Now from CH7 2025-09-09