Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

A hospital in Krabi has issued a formal statement after a pickup truck blocked an ambulance, preventing medical staff from loading a critically ill patient who later died. The incident, which occurred at Plai Phraya Hospital on the night of October 16, 2025, has sparked widespread concern about emergency access and public cooperation with medical responders.

 

According to the statement released on October 18, Plai Phraya Hospital and its medical team expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, who had suffered from acute myocardial infarction and respiratory failure. The patient was being prepared to be loaded into the vehicle, for urgent transfer to Krabi Hospital, which has greater treatment capacity.

 

The events unfolded around 23:10, when staff in the emergency critical care zone were treating the patient and preparing to move them to the ambulance. At approximately 23:15, a Toyota four-door pickup arrived, carrying a 69-year-old woman who was conscious and complaining of dizziness. Her relatives parked the vehicle directly behind the ambulance, blocking its exit.

 

Despite being informed by the head nurse that another patient in critical condition was about to be transferred and asked to wait briefly, the relatives became agitated, complaining that no staff were immediately attending to their mother. When the team attempted to wheel the critical patient out to the ambulance at 23:16, they found it blocked by the same pickup.

 

Hospital staff requested that the vehicle be moved, but the owner reportedly reacted angrily and refused to cooperate immediately, arguing about the lack of service for his own family member. As tensions rose, relatives of the dying patient broke down in tears, kneeling on the ground and begging the pickup’s owner to move. After a brief but distressing delay, the driver eventually relented and moved the vehicle, allowing medical staff to load the patient.

 

Despite the team’s best efforts, the hospital confirmed that the critically ill patient later passed away. The driver’s actions were described as obstructing officials during the performance of urgent medical duties. The 69-year-old woman brought in by the driver was treated in the emergency room, her condition improved and she was discharged with medication to take home.

 

Plai Phraya Hospital reiterated that staff followed professional medical standards and did everything possible to save the patient. The hospital once again extended its condolences to the bereaved family and emphasised the importance of public cooperation with emergency services in life-threatening situations.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A pickup truck blocked an ambulance at Plai Phraya Hospital, delaying a critical patient transfer.

• The patient, suffering from a heart attack and respiratory failure, later died despite medical efforts.

• The hospital expressed condolences and urged public awareness of emergency access protocols.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-19

 

 

 

 

Where’s the accountability here?

account-a what?

On 10/19/2025 at 5:56 AM, novacova said:

Where’s the accountability here?

Where is the accountability in the land of lies?

On 10/19/2025 at 5:45 AM, Georgealbert said:

Hospital staff requested that the vehicle be moved, but the owner reportedly reacted angrily and refused to cooperate immediately, arguing about the lack of service for his own family member. As tensions rose, relatives of the dying patient broke down in tears, kneeling on the ground and begging the pickup’s owner to move. After a brief but distressing delay, the driver eventually relented and moved the vehicle, allowing medical staff to load the patient.

A sad situation.... 

I see selfish (me,me,me) drivers all the time refusing to give way to ambulances driving behind them with their blues and twos on! I can't speak for other countries but in the UK we are taught to always give way to ANY emergency vehicle displaying lights and sirens, even mounting (safely) if needed. 

Jail the entitled price for manslaughter

Inconsiderate lowlife. You try this in the US your car would be moved by many, and the police would fine you large. There wouldn't be begging but shoving .

I wish him something similar and that his own car then blocks the ambulance.

Sue the pick up driver & his family

same old me me me 

39 minutes ago, bluemoon58 said:

I see selfish (me,me,me) drivers all the time refusing to give way to ambulances driving behind them with their blues and twos on! I can't speak for other countries but in the UK we are taught to always give way to ANY emergency vehicle displaying lights and sirens, even mounting (safely) if needed. 

Agreed.

 

But the problem in Thailand is confused and exacerbated by the fact that police vehicles regularly cruise the streets with their roof lights pulsing.  Therefore, motorists are unaware if it a vehicle attending an emergency or just having a drive about unless or until they hear a siren - and if the car radio is on or the driver is wearing earbuds then that becomes inaudible.

Why are they trying to transport an unstable patient? If he dies trying to get him in the ambulance, how will he survive the trip?

 

Who designed the loading area? Where is security to move the car? Common sense says that you drop the second patient and move the car but was there somewhere to move it to?

 

Both were emergencies, she got sent home. but could have been having a stroke. Better monitoring and staffing could have solved this.

2 minutes ago, hidbehindthesofa said:

Agreed.

 

But the problem in Thailand is confused and exacerbated by the fact that police vehicles regularly cruise the streets with their roof lights pulsing.  Therefore, motorists are unaware if it a vehicle attending an emergency or just having a drive about unless or until they hear a siren - and if the car radio is on or the driver is wearing earbuds then that becomes inaudible.

I had a van behind me on the main highway in Phuket recently that had flashing red and blue lights. I gave way only to find out it was a jet ski operator. 🤦  I'd say where is the highway patrol, but even if they saw this, it's questionable whether they'd do anything about it.

3 minutes ago, hidbehindthesofa said:

Agreed.

 

But the problem in Thailand is confused and exacerbated by the fact that police vehicles regularly cruise the streets with their roof lights pulsing.  Therefore, motorists are unaware if it a vehicle attending an emergency or just having a drive about unless or until they hear a siren - and if the car radio is on or the driver is wearing earbuds then that becomes inaudible.

 

Police vehicles?

 

Regular folks mount blue/red lights on their private vehicles to cosplay official vehicles to cut through traffic.

 

 

Thai parking skills?

Is the ambulance driver part of the problem? Why couldn't he move forward? If he had to turn around to get out then he should have backed in. Just wondering.

10 minutes ago, 300sd said:

Is the ambulance driver part of the problem? Why couldn't he move forward? If he had to turn around to get out then he should have backed in. Just wondering.

I always respect ambulance drivers, but they're not always respectful. The worst event that I saw was an ambulance driving quickly with lights flashing and siren blaring... a little bit down the road, the two young chaps from the ambulance were just getting out of their vehicle to have lunch. 🤦🤦

Deeply embedded in the culture. Park anywhere, stop anywhere, others have to deal with that.

Some people even have to put a "no parking" sign in their own driveway....

Pathetic! Could someone not have pushed the bloody car out of the way? Ram the bloody thing out of the way if need be, but this is the lamest of excuses ever.

1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Why are they trying to transport an unstable patient? If he dies trying to get him in the ambulance, how will he survive the trip?

 

The patient didn't die while they were trying to get him in the ambulance, as stated in the article he was (finally and eventually) successfully loaded into the ambulance, but died at some unspecified later time. The reason they were trying to transport him was because (again according to the article) the smaller Plai Phraya Hospital had a lesser capacity to treat him than the larger, better-equipped Krabi hospital.

1 hour ago, hidbehindthesofa said:

Agreed.

 

But the problem in Thailand is confused and exacerbated by the fact that police vehicles regularly cruise the streets with their roof lights pulsing.  Therefore, motorists are unaware if it a vehicle attending an emergency or just having a drive about unless or until they hear a siren - and if the car radio is on or the driver is wearing earbuds then that becomes inaudible.

Fair comment. 

14 minutes ago, Vlada Floric said:

Pathetic! Could someone not have pushed the bloody car out of the way? Ram the bloody thing out of the way if need be, but this is the lamest of excuses ever.

Or just borrowed the keys for a few minutes and move it for him.

1 minute ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

 

The patient didn't die while they were trying to get him in the ambulance, as stated in the article he was (finally and eventually) successfully loaded into the ambulance, but died at some unspecified later time. The reason they were trying to transport him was because (again according to the article) the smaller Plai Phraya Hospital had a lesser capacity to treat him than the larger, better-equipped Krabi hospital.

I get it but we do not have the full story. How far was the transport? Was the ambulance equipped to handle this patient? I agree the truck driver was an ass but a ten minute delay should not kill a stable patient.

Thai's famous for their  " me first"  attitude

On 10/19/2025 at 5:56 AM, novacova said:

Where’s the accountability here?

Nothing will happen.

1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Why are they trying to transport an unstable patient? If he dies trying to get him in the ambulance, how will he survive the trip?

 

Who designed the loading area? Where is security to move the car? Common sense says that you drop the second patient and move the car but was there somewhere to move it to?

 

Both were emergencies, she got sent home. but could have been having a stroke. Better monitoring and staffing could have solved this.

Common sense ...  you kidding ....????

Better monitoring and staffing could have solved this.  ...    total baloney 

people actually have to give sh*t about others and not just  the usual "me" syndrome 

A person who blocks an ambulance and causes someone to die should be charged with manslaughter, as it's nothing but self-absorption, disrespect, and an extreme lack of awareness and consciousness, and behavior like this must be punished. 

45 minutes ago, Vlada Floric said:

Pathetic! Could someone not have pushed the bloody car out of the way? Ram the bloody thing out of the way if need be, but this is the lamest of excuses ever.

If there was a dog needing water in the car they’d smash the window so why not smash the window and release the handbrake…if it was even on…and push the vehicle out of the way..or was it boxed in too ? 

1 hour ago, hidbehindthesofa said:

Agreed.

 

But the problem in Thailand is confused and exacerbated by the fact that police vehicles regularly cruise the streets with their roof lights pulsing.  Therefore, motorists are unaware if it a vehicle attending an emergency or just having a drive about unless or until they hear a siren - and if the car radio is on or the driver is wearing earbuds then that becomes inaudible.

So what.

 

YOU move over anyway.