Autopsy finds soldier 'died from illness, not beating'

Autopsy finds soldier 'died from illness, not beating'

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A post-mortem examination has found that a recently conscripted soldier died of a chronic health condition, not the result of a physical assault as claimed by his mother, a senior military spokesman said yesterday.

Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4 spokesman, Col Pramot Phrom-in, said the results of the autopsy on Pvt Adisak Noiphithak, 21, a conscript at Thep Satri Si Sunthon military camp, Infantry Division 5, in Nakhon Si Thammarat, clearly showed he died of "peritonitis" and "peptic ulcer perforation".

The autopsy was carried out by Dr Chalida Chumyuang at Songklanagarind Hospital, which is part of Prince of Songkhla University.

According to the pathologist's report the two health conditions resulted in severe and lethal infections in the soldier's abdominal cavity.

Dr Chalida also reported that no external injuries nor bone fractures were found, according to Col Pramot.

Blue and purple marks found on Adisak's body were believed to have been caused by the infection, which had caused discolouration of the skin, Col Pramot added.

The doctor in her report said a further examination would be carried out to confirm what caused these marks, if the dead soldier's family requested it.

Adisak's mother, Tueanchai Khongsanit, 52, has since said that she has accepted the findings.

Col Warit Chorbchupol, commmander of the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, said Pvt Adisak had complained of a stomach ache and was excused from duties three days before being pronounced dead on Saturday at the military camp's hospital.

He was admitted to the hospital after his stomach pains became worse and he started vomiting.

Soon after her son's death Ms Tueanchai lodged a complaint with police and in a post on a popular Facebook page said she suspected her son died after suffering a beating.

Cpl Pramote said the army has expressed its condolences to the family of the dead soldier and would ensure they received appropriate welfare assistance, including help pay for the funeral.

Big Krian, who has a popular Facebook page, published a story about Pvt Adisak not long after his death on Saturday.

The Facebook story dealt mainly with Ms Tueanchai's concerns and doubts about her son's death.

She said at the time she was not convinced by the military hospital's explanation that her son had died from sudden heart failure.

She also said she saw blue and purple marks all over his body, which she suspected were the result of him having been physically assaulted.

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