Teacher Sai recounted the heartbreaking moment when her husband lost consciousness, with their child clinging to his leg the entire time. She expressed concern that the hospital dismissed the doctor involved but did not disclose the doctor’s name, causing fear among locals of unknowingly encountering the same doctor. After the funeral, she plans to seek justice.
This has become a tragic cautionary tale in society after Teacher Sai, a well-known influencer, appealed for justice following the death of her 30-year-old husband. He was treated for chest tightness and sweating but was dismissed by a doctor who only made a visual diagnosis without physical examination or blood or ECG tests, leading to his sudden death from myocardial ischemia. Recently, the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) and legal authorities are preparing to file criminal charges against the treating doctor for negligent homicide, warning medical staff, "If you don't know medical ethics... you should know the Department of Corrections."
The case involves Ms. Benyaporn Panpetch, known as Teacher Sai, a teacher and influencer from Ratchaburi province, who took to social media demanding justice after losing her 30-year-old husband. She believes his death could have been prevented with proper diagnosis and treatment from the hospital.
Today (20 Jul 2026) at 3 p.m., Ms. Benyaporn Panpetch, or Teacher Sai, shared her feelings and updates on the case, stating that hospital representatives attended the funeral and apologized to the family, saying they bore no grudge against her social media posts. However, the hospital issued a second statement confirming the suspension of the involved doctor. Teacher Sai remains concerned that the hospital has not disclosed the doctor’s name, arguing that the hospital should reveal this information rather than keep it confidential, which causes anxiety among Ratchaburi residents fearing they might unknowingly be treated by the same doctor.
Teacher Sai recounted that on the day her husband experienced chest tightness, profuse sweating, and arm weakness, she and a relative who is a nurse, along with preliminary research, suspected a heart condition and urged the doctor for a thorough examination.
However, the senior internist diagnosed her husband by sight alone, without listening to his heart, physical examination, or blood tests. The doctor refused blood tests, claiming the patient had only eaten a piece of bread that morning and dismissed the family’s concerns using psychological talk, resulting in a missed chance for timely treatment. The doctor later admitted to a misdiagnosis, attributing it to the patient’s young age.
With tears, Teacher Sai shared the most heartbreaking detail: her husband loved their child deeply, and in his final moments before losing consciousness, he was still playing with their child, who clung to his leg throughout. What she cannot accept is that her husband never saw their child grow up and left without even knowing his illness, believing the doctor’s assurances that he was fine and that his wife was imagining things. While the deceased may be unaware, those left behind feel as if they are living deaths. She hopes this serves as a warning to the medical community, emphasizing she does not intend to attack all medical personnel, recognizing many competent doctors. She herself has recovered under other doctors’ care. However, she urges some doctors to listen more openly to patients and families.
Several agencies and legal teams have offered assistance. She plans to complete her husband’s funeral before pursuing justice through legal channels.
Lt. Col. Thanakrit Jitareerat, Director of the Complaint Center at the Kla Tham Party, said the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has dispatched officials to inspect the Ratchaburi hospital under the Medical Facilities Act, assessing facility standards, ownership, and medical treatment standards. Once DHSS finalizes its findings, it will forward the case to the Medical Council for ethical and professional disciplinary action, which can range from license suspension to revocation.
Preliminary assessments suggest this case involves substandard and unethical medical care or negligence, as the patient presented with a critical symptom—chest tightness—a key heart disease warning sign. Standard care requires thorough testing, including blood enzyme levels and ECG. The lack of timely treatment led to myocardial ischemia and the patient's death.
The deceased’s relatives filed a complaint with investigators for negligent homicide under Penal Code Section 291, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to 200,000 baht. Legal teams are closely supporting the case.
A warning to medical staff was issued: "If you don’t understand professional ethics, you should learn about the Department of Corrections," noting many have been imprisoned for such negligence. Any medical personnel unable to maintain professional standards due to age or other factors should consider other work to prevent further loss of life.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weerasak Charatchaichai, a forensic medicine expert at Srinakharinwirot University, revealed that autopsy results showed the deceased had two blocked coronary arteries, causing heart muscle death and fatal arrhythmia. These findings align with the widow’s account that he had continuous chest pain, sweating, palpitations, and pain radiating to his arm and jaw—classic ischemic heart disease symptoms.
However, concerns arise because on the morning of the incident, the patient visited the hospital with these symptoms but did not receive ECG or blood enzyme tests to diagnose heart disease. Instead, he was examined only for joint and bone issues, given advice, and sent home without heart treatment.
Regarding the treatment process, a thorough investigation is needed to determine what occurred during screening and diagnosis, and why key examinations were omitted despite ECG being a simple and inexpensive test (around 300–1,000 baht).
Concerning the doctor, who is a 72-year-old part-time physician, experts say age should not alone determine treatment capability. However, hospitals should have standards to assess elderly doctors’ effectiveness, including physical, mental, and cognitive evaluations to ensure patient safety.
Regarding the disclosure of the doctor’s name and legal proceedings, these remain at early stages within the justice system and Medical Council investigation; names cannot be disclosed until clear decisions are reached.
The public and patients are advised that if they feel at risk and have confirmed symptoms to doctors but receive inadequate diagnostics, one option is to seek care at another facility promptly for proper evaluation.
Finally, responding to some social media reactions, it was noted that Teacher Sai’s expressions of grief are natural after such a loss. She was praised for maintaining composure and recounting events clearly despite the difficult emotional period.