Phuket hotel and police accused of covering up fatal electrocution

In a heartbreaking case, the family of Kanokwan “Nam” Intachak, a 26-year-old assistant chef who tragically died at a Phuket hotel, is demanding justice after accusing both the hotel and local police of attempting to cover up the true cause of her death.

Tragic Incident and Initial Response

On April 21, Kanokwan Intachak, who worked as an assistant chef at a prominent Phuket hotel, was found unconscious at her workplace. Witnesses reported that Nam screamed before collapsing and hitting her head on a table. Her family believes that she was electrocuted, given the presence of several electrical devices in the area where she was working.

Despite these concerns, Thalang Police Station investigated the scene and failed to find evidence of electrocution or foul play. They attributed her death to a congenital condition known as atherosclerosis, based on an autopsy performed at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Discrepancies and Allegations

Following the police report, the hotel offered Nam’s family 68,000 baht, with an additional 12,100 baht contributed by her colleagues. However, Nam’s father was unconvinced by the official cause of death and refused to accept the compensation.

Subsequent revelations have heightened suspicions. Amarin TV reported that the hotel allegedly presented a counterfeit autopsy report, with police officers possibly involved in this deception. The official autopsy result, obtained by the family later, confirmed that Nam had indeed died from electrocution.

Family’s Demand for Accountability

In response to the findings, Nam’s family took dramatic action by transporting her body in a coffin from their home province of Nakhon Si Thammarat to the hotel in Phuket. They remained outside the hotel, demanding that the management take full responsibility and provide appropriate compensation for their tragic loss.

Related Incident and Public Reaction

In a related incident, a Thai high school student in Trang was electrocuted while trying to turn off a water dispenser at his school. Despite the tragedy, the student’s family chose not to pursue legal action, accepting it as an accident. However, this incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Thai netizens, who criticized the school for its negligence and called for improved safety measures for students.

The Importance of Transparency and Accountability

These incidents highlight the critical need for transparency and accountability in addressing workplace and public safety issues. The tragic death of Kanokwan Intachak underscores the necessity for thorough investigations and honest reporting to ensure justice and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For further updates on this case and related safety concerns, stay tuned to our news coverage and resources on workplace safety and legal rights.