Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Korean Actress Helps Thai Coma Patient Return Home

Featured Replies

 

image.png

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

 

A Thai student who fell into a coma while studying in South Korea has been safely returned to Thailand after an emergency repatriation operation supported by Korean actress Lee Young Ae. Immigration Bureau officers fast-tracked her arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, ensuring continuous medical care from the moment the aircraft landed. The student, identified as Sirinya, was immediately transferred to hospital under close supervision.

 

Sirinya had been participating in an exchange programme at Chonnam National University (CNU) in Gwangju when she collapsed in her dormitory in July due to a subdural haematoma. She remained in a coma for more than three months, during which her family struggled to cover the high medical and transport expenses. This prompted CNU’s Rhythm of Hope Volunteering Club to launch a fundraising drive targeting nine million won, drawing strong support from students, lecturers and the wider public.


image.jpeg

 

Actress Lee Young Ae, widely known for her role in Dae Jang Geum: Jewel in the Palace, contributed 10 million won, to assist with the student’s medical costs and flight arrangements. The fundraising enabled Korean Air to arrange special seating and accommodate essential medical equipment, including oxygen tanks, aboard flight KE653. The aircraft landed in Bangkok at 23.20 on 15 November, where immigration officers processed her entry on board to avoid delays.

 

Pol Col Phongthorn Phongratchatanan, deputy commander of Immigration Division 2, said the operation involved close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Airports of Thailand Plc. Additional directives were issued by Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, and Pol Maj Gen Kathathorn Khamthieng, Commander of Immigration Division 2, to ensure all procedures were expedited. Officials emphasised that uninterrupted medical support was prioritised throughout the journey.


image.jpeg

 

The Immigration Bureau later said the successful transfer reflected its commitment to safeguarding Thai citizens abroad. Officers highlighted that the rapid response and cooperation among Thai and Korean agencies helped protect the patient’s wellbeing. They added that the mission reaffirmed the bureau’s role in handling emergencies involving Thai nationals.

 

Naewna reported that Sirinya is now receiving further treatment in Thailand, with medical teams monitoring her condition following the long-distance transfer. Authorities did not disclose her surname or details of her current prognosis.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Her repatriation was supported by fundraising from Chonnam National University volunteers and a donation from Korean actress Lee Young Ae.

• Immigration officers expedited entry procedures and assisted with the medical transfer of a Thai student arriving from South Korea.

• Officials said the operation demonstrated their commitment to protecting Thai citizens in medical emergencies.

 

Related Stories

 

 

image.png  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna 2025-11-17

 

 

image.png

 

image.png

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Actress Lee Young Ae, widely known for her role in Dae Jang Geum: Jewel in the Palace, contributed 10 million won, to assist with the student’s medical costs and flight arrangements.

Nice lady... bless her.

Sounds like the healthcare system is as broken as in the US. Are foreign students at Korean universities not provide medical care???

12 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Sounds like the healthcare system is as broken as in the US. Are foreign students at Korean universities not provide medical care???

If you had bothered to actually read the article you would have learned that the young lady had already received three month of medical care in S. Korea. 

Sad for the student, but happy that she's back closer to her family.  Amazing piece of goodwill from this actress and the university volunteers!

20 hours ago, dddave said:

If you had bothered to actually read the article you would have learned that the young lady had already received three month of medical care in S. Korea. 

For which her family paid and was in financial distress, why the actress stepped in.

10,000,000 Won is 221,000 THB or $6810 USD.  Very generous of the actress. Her attention to the matter probably generated much of the rest of the funding.  Let's hope the Thai student makes a full recovery. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.