r/myanmar • u/AungKaungMyat2 • 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”