RTAF: Brain abscess caused private’s death, not training

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has denied claims in viral social media reports that one of its privates died from exhaustion last year following prolonged training while he was known to be unwell, and that the force attempted to cover up the incident.

RTAF spokesman Air Marshal Chakkrit Thammavichai said Private Prutsapa Wimmuttithamchai died of a brain abscess.

The Air Force provided several rounds of medical treatment to the conscript prior to his death and followed doctors’ orders exempting him from training due to his illness.

His death has recently resurfaced in public discourse, especially on social media platforms, after a People’s Party candidate wrote about the case, alleging that it resulted from prolonged training and that the family was not informed of his condition.

In a statement, the spokesman provided a timeline of the events leading to Prutsapa’s death.

Chakkrit said Prutsapa was conscripted into the Air Force Command on May 1st last year. After reporting for duty, he informed officials that he was experiencing ear pain with a pungent discharge.

On May 6, he was referred to the Preventive Medicine Division of the Air Force Medical Department, where he was examined, prescribed medication and scheduled for a follow-up appointment on May 8th. He attended the follow-up as scheduled.

On May 11, however, he was admitted to Bhumibol Hospital with a high fever and diagnosed with influenza A.

Between May 6 and June 16, the private received medical examinations and follow-up care on nine occasions. Treatment included care for ear inflammation and a high fever caused by influenza A.

This involved injections, blood tests to check for viral infections and drainage of pus from the ear.

Doctors ordered him to refrain from training from June 9th to December 6th. His unit strictly complied with the doctors’ orders, allowing him to rest at the unit, the spokesman said.

On the morning of June 20, the private complained of a headache. Instructors allowed him to rest at the unit. At 9.40am, he was found unconscious and was immediately rushed to Bhumibol Hospital.

Doctors performed emergency resuscitation followed by urgent surgery. He was then admitted to the intensive care unit and later transferred to the neurosurgical ward for continued treatment.

His relatives were informed of his condition, and the unit facilitated travel and accommodation for them to visit him.

On July 24, Prutsapa passed away. Doctors concluded that the cause of death was a brain abscess resulting from an infection.

The unit hosted funeral rites and facilitated religious ceremonies and a cremation at a temple in Sai Mai district between July 25th and 27th.

Expressing profound sorrow over the loss, the spokesman emphasised that the death was caused by a severe medical condition and was not related to military training or duty.

The spokesperson stated that the unit had continuously followed doctors’ recommendations, ensured medical treatment at every stage, and immediately transported the conscript to the hospital when the emergency occurred.

The Air Force is arranging for officials to meet with the deceased’s parents to address any remaining concerns and listen directly to their questions, he said.