At midday yesterday (April 20), the Director of Vachira Hospital, Dr Jessada Jongpaiboon revealed that Somkiet Phatkhun is in a coma after passing out with heat stroke at the hot water spring at Klong Thom in Krabi.
Mr Somkiet was initially taken to Krabi Hospital, but after his condition worsened he was transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket. He was recently moved to the ICU at Vichara Hospital.
Dr Jessada said, “Mr SomkietĚ•s body failed to adapt to the hot temperature of the spring when he entered it, this caused his blood vessels to expand and his body organs to start to shut down.
“It is likely that this also caused his kidneys and liver to fail and his blood to coagulate.
“Doctors and nurses are monitoring him closely 24 hours a day.”
Local residents reported that Mr Somkiet was on vacation with his wife in Krabi during Songkran and went to the hot spring last Monday.
One witness said, “The man passed out as soon as he stepped into the hot spring. People around him tried to massage him but he did not response. He was then taken to Krabi Hospital.”
Dr. Jessada added, “The patient's body temperature did not adapt to the heat of the spring like everyone else and that 's why he passed out.
“I want to advise everybody who considers going into the hot spring to please be aware that the water temperature is higher than the temperature of our body (30-40C). You have to go in slowly to let the body adapt to the heat.”