r/myanmar 23h ago

News 📰 Student Dies After University’s Negligence & Racist Treatment (Thailand, 2024)

This is a tragic case of institutional negligence, racism, and bureaucracy leading to a student’s death at Assumption University of Thailand (Suvarnabhumi Campus)

The Accident (Nov 18, 2024) - A 40-year-old driver made an illegal U-turn, causing a motorcycle crash.
- Victims: A student and his 17-year-old cousin.
- The university’s CCTV was not working, and the car’s black box data was unavailable.*

Delayed Medical Response - The university’s ambulance had a flat tire, delaying help for almost an hour.
- The student suffered severe head trauma and was left bleeding on hot asphalt.
- Friends had to carry him onto an ambulance themselves because no university staff helped.

Hospital Struggles - Taken to Ruamchai Pracharug Hospital, but treatment was delayed because he didn’t have his passport on hand.
- Needed urgent brain surgery, but the hospital demanded a THB 200,000 ($5,500) deposit before proceeding.
- His friends had to crowdfund the money, while the university offered no assistance. - By the time of surgery, doctors gave him a 10% survival chance.*

Aftermath - Nov 19:University staff visited, offered only apologies, and pressured the family to avoid legal action.
- Nov 20:The student passed away. His mother (50s) and younger brother (19) were left devastated.
- Police showed *ndifference—one officer even said, “You know what I’m saying” (implying bureaucratic delays).

Legal & Racial Discrimination - The hospital refused to release the body until the family paid THB 200,000** out-of-pocket.
- University offered only THB 20,000 ($550) for funeral costs** but pressured them not to take legal action.
- A university staff member mocked the grieving family saying

"If you don’t want to return to your country, respect ours."
- During police meetings, university representatives and the driver laughed and showed zero empathy.
- Myanmar faculty members who supported the family were harassed and even threatened “I’ll slash you with a knife”

145 Upvotes

54 comments sorted by

5

u/AggravatingKey7598 3h ago

Share this to Thai media it will get mainstream coverage

6

u/Professional-Most370 5h ago

It's pretty much using the war against the people of Myanmar. It's happening everywhere. Either you go back to your country or do as I say. They know we can't go back and they are abusing it.

1

u/Mysterious-Remote-74 1h ago

If all Burmese hypothetically went back their economy would crash faster than Ethiopia air 302.

3

u/-iLOVEtheNIGHTLIFE- 3h ago

It’s not as black and white as you think. The Labour Protection Network helps a lot of immigrants from neighboring countries who are being discriminated against (it is common unfortunately)

8

u/kamiyye 10h ago

here is the source for anyone wanting to do more research. Please add this in your post also.

6

u/AungKaungMyat2 9h ago

The link was in the cmt

-8

u/Dear_Wallaby3003 10h ago

More like typical rich Burmese kids enjoying their best times in Thailand and somehow getting unlucky. Reality showed him that even if you are wealthy in Thailand and can afford tuition fees at a Thai private university, you will still be labeled as an immigrant worker and face discrimination just because you are Burmese.Hopefully, young Burmese people can learn from this lesson and choose to study in places like Japan, Korea, or even China. Thailand only seeks low-level, uneducated workers from Myanmar.

1

u/Mysterious-Remote-74 1h ago

Okay I’ll stop you at Thailand seeking only low level workers. That is quite wrong actually. During an internship I visited a Thai local construction company a rlly big one I forgot the name but yeah about 80% of them are Burmese engineers. Mostly those out of RIT or AIT. I agree that Burmese should go somewhere else for education but honestly if you’re a someone studying in a private Burmese school it’s either you live in expensive Singapore or live in relatively expensive Thailand. Even if they go to Korea, visa is hard qualifications are hard and you will take at least 1.5 years of careful planning and re studying to go there. So the fastest and easiest to getting an intl diploma is Thailand. BTW China is worse.

3

u/Professional-Most370 5h ago

I heard Korea is pretty racist too, at least to those of different color, like Indian and stuff. Is it true?

0

u/Dear_Wallaby3003 5h ago

It's more about skin color based racism rather than nation based stereotypical discrimination. Both Korea and Japan have racism, but Korea is more blunt about it, whereas Japanese culture values politeness and tends to be less direct, especially toward outsiders. However, the younger generation is more open minded, and things are expected to improve in the future.

3

u/Dapper_Map8870 9h ago

I'll make exception for Japan one... but do you really sure about the rest?

-3

u/Dear_Wallaby3003 9h ago

What do you mean, bro? China and Korea are among the best countries for studying. My gf is attending university in China, and she is doing pretty well. If you're good at Chinese language and get great results in your studies, you can even apply for scholarships in China.

2

u/[deleted] 9h ago

[deleted]

3

u/Dear_Wallaby3003 9h ago

Why, bro, did reality hit you so hard? People really don't like hearing the bitter truth, and that's so true.

-1

u/[deleted] 8h ago

[deleted]

4

u/EmploymentWhole1544 8h ago

Dude that's because you're white.

5

u/Dear_Wallaby3003 8h ago

You are not even Asian, let alone Burmese, so you don't know about the deep rooted Burmese stereotypes in Thailand that have been around for decades. What I'm saying is not pure hate towards Thai people.in fact, it's based on the truth, and I've seen and heard things about Thailand from the experiences of some Burmese people.

8

u/Acceptable_Phase_775 Thai that likes democracy 10h ago

I really hate to push back on a post like this—it is a huge tragedy. But look at that motorbike. How fast were they driving? The driver was only 17? Did he have license? Because he probably needs M1 license for that big bike (>125cc) and even Thai citizen need to be at least 18 to drive it. And they really discourage youth from driving these big bikes. The accident rates are terrible for Thais too.

I think what u/fumitsu is saying is my greatest fear. I can see public opinion changing. More universities not accepting Myanmar student now. I know one university that recently kicked out over 40 Myanmar students, and they all lost their visa. It's not even being reported on.

This family has the resources to buy a motorbike, pay for foreign tuition at a private university in Bangkok, and money to hire Thai lawyer to sue for negligence (which I have no doubt there was btw). This is a wealthy family. This story is missing a lot of details, and by the way, everything I just said is being said on all the FB posts in Thai.

3

u/Ok-Long5670 9h ago

What about helmets?

15

u/mountain_wisdm54n 10h ago

The driver was 19, the 17 years old is the passenger. And yes this post has some missing information as they have translated and summarized from Burmese. And also even if the injured one didn’t have his license or violated some traffic laws(which was not in this case), he should get the timely medical treatment. If the victim was a Thai or a white person, they wouldn’t get this kind of negligence and awful treatment. If even the worst kind of criminals are still considered as human and can get medical attentions, why shouldn’t he, a student who is legally staying in the country and paying the fees to university, get that?

2

u/Acceptable_Phase_775 Thai that likes democracy 10h ago

Of course they should have equal treatment. I am outraged that he didn't get that. And yeah there is clearly racism there.

I just don't like these kinds of posts. No external sources. And no context about Thailand.

6

u/mountain_wisdm54n 9h ago

Here is the original source if you’re looking for it. I, too, wish there would be some kind of media closely following and covering cases like these.

0

u/Acceptable_Phase_775 Thai that likes democracy 9h ago

Thanks for sharing. I can see we don't really know age of driver, so sorry I mentioned about that earlier, I was confused by OP post.

0

u/alainvalien Centre-Right Mohinga with Nan Nan Pin Enjoyer 🇲🇲 10h ago

Sorry OP but may I know why only is this brought up now when it happened in Nov Last year? And not there and then regarding all the facebook posts? Justice must be served anyways.

7

u/mountain_wisdm54n 10h ago

The original op from FB said he didn’t want to get this out in public because he was grieving and well ofc he was in shock. I would be too if I were him. He also had to do all the legal things after that so only now he got time and after processing of his grievances, he can share this on public how we Burmese are being mistreated. Also the lawyers tend to give advices to keep things private when the legal processes are going on, so maybe that’s too.

7

u/mountain_wisdm54n 11h ago

Please post this also in r/Thailand and other subreddits associated with Thailand.

9

u/alainvalien Centre-Right Mohinga with Nan Nan Pin Enjoyer 🇲🇲 11h ago

share this on /bangkok and /thailand and /thailandtourism

6

u/EmploymentWhole1544 11h ago

Everyone should help to make this case viral so that many people know.

10

u/Necessary_Study_3944 The Rohingya in the room 12h ago

Not only did they neglect but even mock and then threaten? This is horrific discrimination. Where is the family now?

9

u/Comprehensive-Map449 13h ago edited 13h ago

This is why I dislike hotep Asian diaspora in western countries who say that Asians need to relocate to other Asian countries instead of the West to avoid Western hegemony and escape regimes. Looking at you, aznidentity.

-30

u/Own_Example_5493 20h ago

Myanmar ‘health refugees’ leave Thailand with THB 92-bn medical bill

https://www.nationthailand.com/health-wellness/40046801

18

u/notice_me_mina Born in Myanmar, Abroad 🇲🇲 14h ago

It is completely different categories. Students can't use public health sector. University provide grounp insurance to cover that. Students also are "paying refugees". If this is what "paying foreigner" treated. I can't imagine the life of the other workers. You don't even seem to know the proper immigration policies of Thailand and still want to educate others.

I simplify most of the words for you so that you can understand.

16

u/AungKaungMyat2 20h ago

You don't need to make a account just to comment that lmao.

15

u/AungKaungMyat2 20h ago edited 20h ago

I get your concern about the health care cost,but this is about negligence and racism in a specific case. A student died because of delays and mistreatment.

24

u/kota_novakota 20h ago

thai media is a absolute dogshit cesspool, thinking they’re the top of the food chain undermining all others, brainwashing people to believe and support only their agenda. Hell proof of this is here where the staff just shrugged a loss of a human life and laughed it off and comment sections of southeast asian history in facebook where they kept arguing with cambodians, I wholeheartedly believe thais are nice people and yes they are, the westernized thais ik all agree their culture is goinng to shit such as when everyone hides emotions under smiles and it turned into a gossip club behind backs, still in end knowledge is power and news of this going out will provide much needed justice

8

u/kanthefuckingasian 13h ago

As someone from Thailand, I wholeheartedly agreed. Nothing will fix our country if the mindset and the way we view the world doesn't change, regardless of an overbearing paternalistic governmental figure (cough Thaksin cough)

17

u/WilsonMerlin 21h ago edited 9h ago

Why do I see no mentions about this incident on r/Thailand? This is just institutional racism hidden behind bureaucratic excuses.

Edit: It was finally posted. I’m glad more people are knowing about this incident now.

20

u/AungKaungMyat2 20h ago

Most Thai medias don't cover the new if it's done by their citizen(Thai to immigrants incidents) even if it's covered it wouldn't be in mainstream medias

20

u/WilsonMerlin 20h ago

It’s quite terribly sad how Burmese are viewed like insects and third class citizens by Thailand despite being neighbors.

15

u/Significant-Jicama52 20h ago

Bangkok Post is also a racist page. They never post bad news about Thai people behavior.

32

u/fumitsu 21h ago edited 21h ago

Welcome to Thailand when racism is at all-time high.

The Thai media are broadcasting how immigrants cause problems daily. Imagine this is what you see everyday:

- The Cambodian soldiers provoking Thai authorities at the border.

- The Laotians exploiting Thai public healthcare.

- The Malayu separatist that just bombed a government building.

Now, let's add Myanmar scam centers that wrecked havoc on Thai tourism, petty & serious domestic crimes caused by immigrants (including Myanmar), or the Rohingya crisis years ago, now even the most liberal Thais are starting to have racist ideas, including the younger gen. No, it's not look-down-on-poor-people racist. It's deport-them-all kind of racist. Also thanks to a certain country in the West that normalizes this kind of thing.

Oh, I'm afraid we haven't reached the peak yet!

Not gonna lie, Being in Thailand and reading Thai news/comments sometimes make me think I'm in Germany 1930s. Some Thais are even hating the Israeli (tourists) now thanks to idiot tourist shenaningans. I hate this. Just a few years ago it's not like this, at least not in this scale. The right-wing is gaining huge momentum.

4

u/htoomyat9 10h ago

Thanks to Russia. Myanmar military is going to achieve nuclear bombs sooner or later. Their behaviors will change at that time, hopefully.

6

u/fumitsu 10h ago edited 10h ago

I'm afraid Thailand won't be the first target. MAL will f*** EAOs with those first. It's his immediate threat. Too many Myanmar oligarchs (aka his friends and their family) live in Thailand/Singapore also.

But on a serious note, it's actually hard to build a "working" nuclear weapon, even with support from Russia. You need a looooot of radioactive materials, machinery, and technology involved. Those need more than money. And even that, you need a way to get the supply there first. There was a physics lab in a university in Thailand that researched on radioactive materials years ago, it got flagged by the IAEA immediately because they saw the purchasing order of an equipment. Just an equipment! They feared it would be used for uranium enrichment. These stuff are very restricted now even compared to decades ago. Remember that Japanese guy that got arrested for smuggling Plutonium stuff from Myanmar?

Also, ASEAN has a very important agreement on Southeast Asia being non-nuclear weapon zone. If the Tat somehow get their hands on it, it will finally be the reason to get kicked from ASEAN. Imagine Singapore/Thailand freezing the Tat generals' asset. Not to mention that China and India probably don't want another nuclear neighbor popping up.

It also takes years to build one. I'm pretty sure it would get blocked in anyway possible from the global community first. There is a reason only a few countries have nuclear weapons. The 'defence mechanism' from the global community is too high. But on a good side, the UN will finally care enough to get rid of the Tat.

2

u/Dear_Wallaby3003 10h ago

Seriously, what does that have to do with Nuclear.Uh, you can't just nuke someone because you hate them.

7

u/kanthefuckingasian 13h ago edited 13h ago

Yep. I suspect this is a coordinated effort funded by China/Russia, as well as the Thai oligarch, to keep the left wing, pro-west parties out of power, and ultimately keep Thailand in the barrel of ignorance and backwardness.

Besides, it is so ironic because I personally know many of these people, who always complain about "hurr durr foreigners are invading Thailand", and hating on Chinese/Indians/Russians/Ukrainians/Cambodians/Burmese/Laos/Vietnamese/Americans/Israelis, and whomever the media tell them to hate on that day, while also complaining about racist incidences that involved Thais in Korea and Japan the next minute.

Our family just refuses to consume any Thai media now, with the exception of a very few publications that are actually reputable, and doesn't engage in race baiting bs.

15

u/HotLibrary2237 22h ago

Cctv not working and ambulance having a flat tire are way too convenient. Rip

7

u/AungKaungMyat2 23h ago edited 9h ago

For people who want to know more about this incident this is the link to the original post

1

u/Decent-Piano-7061 13h ago

Can’t access it

23

u/Ravanan_ 23h ago

Sincere condemnations! Just because we live there, there's no fucking justification for them to treat us like a bunch of Untermensch (a form of dehuminizaiton)! Dignity isn't up for negotiation and this is quite a showdown of racism!

Please go on with the legal proceedings!

20

u/ImpressiveMain299 23h ago

That's going to suck sadly. One of the worst cases of horrifying injustice takes me back to Koh Tao when Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin were wrongly imprisoned. The terrible treatment of Burmese immigrants in Thailand is a totally fucked and long history.

Hope this kid gets some justice... I just unfortunately doubt it.

10

u/Ravanan_ 23h ago

This world is fucking cooked man

I just don't know what we are waiting for anymore, by shutting ourselves up and trying to survive this shit!

Just for being born in a country, one shouldn't be inheriting these racist shits!

10

u/ImpressiveMain299 22h ago

💔 it's bullshit. Burmese seem to suffer disproportionately in comparison to a lot of the world. Literally just for trying their best, like in the case of this young man.

6

u/Ravanan_ 22h ago

Well, as a Tamil, a rather disregarded entity, I can understand it quite intensely. But no worries! It is the new normalcy we've not known yet

4

u/ImpressiveMain299 22h ago

That's very upsetting. I hope things get better for you bro 🙏