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Death of Thai envoy’s wife sparks dispute
Soonchunhyang University Hospital, embassy differ on cause of death
By Kim Rahn
The death of the wife of Thai ambassador to Seoul at a general hospital in Seoul is igniting controversy as the embassy blames the hospital for improper emergency treatment while the hospital rules out any malpractice.
Thitinart Satjipanon, wife of Thai Ambassador Chaiyong Satjipanon, died Monday after being admitted to Soonchunhyang University Hospital last Thursday with acute abdominal pain, according to the hospital, Wednesday.
Doctors of the hospital performed the necessary treatment for patients with such symptoms but she collapsed two days after hospitalization. She was moved to an intensive care unit but died.
A spokesman of the hospital said it was a sudden death involving no malpractice.
“The ambassador’s wife was admitted with abdominal pain. Doctors didn’t allow her food and had gas in the bowels eliminated. Her condition got better, so they were to have her undergo an x-ray examination. But she suddenly collapsed, and they performed emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and moved her to the intensive care unit,” he said.
The spokesman said doctors conducted every necessary measure but she died. “The cause of death was septic shock and embolism,” he said.
Regarding a local daily’s report that the doctors apologized to the bereaved family for not giving proper emergency treatment, the spokesman said, “They did their best but expressed their regret to the family as she passed away despite their efforts. It was not an apology for malpractice.”
The hospital charged 18 million won for the treatment and hospital accommodation.
The Thai embassy has not made an official statement about the death.
A staffer there said she was not in a position to confirm whether they suspect it was a result of a malpractice.
But she added, “The ambassador is preparing legal action against the hospital,” hinting they suspect so.
The hospital spokesman said they haven’t had any notice from the embassy about a suit. “We just heard that embassy officials would visit the hospital to get a detailed breakdown of the total medical fees,” he said.