KHON KAEN: The body of a woman who died after acid was poured over her face and into her mouth, and who was allegedly denied treatment at a private hospital, has returned home to Khon Kaen for funeral rites.
Chorlada Tarawan's coffin arrived at her family's home in Ban Saeng Arun of Waeng Yai district late on Monday night.
Chorlada, a 38-year-old employee at a shopping mall in Bangkok's Bang Khae district, was allegedly attacked by her new husband Kamtan Singhanat, 50, at their rented room in Bangkok's Bang Khunthian district on Nov 9.
He allegedly poured acid over her face and into her mouth in a jealous rage.
Her 12-year-old daughter from her previous husband, rushed her by taxi for treatment, directing the driver to Bangmod Hospital in Chom Thong district. The driver instead took them to Praram 2 Hospital, a private hospital in Bang Khunthian district, saying it was much closer.
Staff at Praram 2 Hospital allegedly refused to treat her and called another taxi to take her and her daughter to Bangmod Hospital, where she had medical welfare coverage. The woman died on the way.
Praram 2 hospital is being investigated by health authorities over the incident.
Mr Kamtan, a taxi driver, fled after the attack and was caught at a friend's house in Nakhon Sawan's Banphot district on Sunday. He admitted attacking her in a fit of jealousy, according to police.
The suspect claimed Chorlada had become involved with two men, and this had fuelled his rage. He was taken for a crime re-enactment on Monday.
Preecha Tarawan, 72, an uncle of the victim, said the family was grateful for all the assistance they have received.
"She was the breadwinner of the family. She had been working in Bangkok for years to support the family. Now, we have lost her, her life taken from her by her new husband. Her daughter will move from Bangkok to our home province," the uncle said.
On Sunday, activist lawyer Atchariya Rueangratanapong accompanied two of the dead woman's angry relatives to Praram 2 Hospital where they accused the hospital of failing to help her.
The management replied that the patient wanted treatment at Bang Mod Hospital so staff applied first aid and decided her condition was not critical.