Kanokwan ‘Nong Nam’ Injak, an assistant cook at a hotel in Cherng Talay, died after a fatal accident on April 21. Witnesses reported that she was frying food in the hotel kitchen when she screamed, collapsed and struck her chin on a kitchen bench.
Initially, the police found no signs of foul play at the scene, but they did identify two electrical appliances, a refrigerator and a rice cooker, as potential sources of the incident.
An autopsy conducted by Dr Tulay Wichawansri at Vachira Phuket Hospital initially attributed the cause of death to hardened and narrowed arteries, suggesting fat blockages in the bloodstream.
However, subsequent investigations determined that the actual cause of death was electrocution.
Negotiations between the deceased’s family and hotel representatives have been ongoing. On April 27, the hotel offered compensation, including employee death benefits and merit money, but the family rejected the offer, expressing doubts about the true cause of their daughter’s death, explained Thanong Saejiw, the lawyer representing the family.
Ms Kanokwan’s parents and Mr Thanong met with Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum and senior officers at Cherng Talay Police Station yesterday to discuss the case and demand accountability.
During the meeting, the hotel increased its compensation offer to B4.8 million. However, an agreement has yet to be reached.
Mr Thanong emphasised the need for fair compensation, considering the young woman’s potential future contributions to her family.
As the investigation continues, concerns remain about the integrity of the evidence, particularly regarding the refrigerator involved in the incident, Mr Thanong said.
The family has expressed frustration over the hotel’s lack of cooperation and transparency, he added.
“We have been fighting this battle on our own, going up against the influence of the hotel. A key piece of evidence is the refrigerator,” Mr Thanong told reporters.
“When the hotel initially requested to have the refrigerator brought back under the supervision of the investigating officer, they consistently refused to allow it, and also didn’t permit the rice cooker, another crucial piece of evidence, to be removed.
“We don’t believe that this refrigerator will stay with the hotel any longer‒ it will likely be lost ‒ but the hotel still refuses to let it go,” he said.
“Thankfully, the real refrigerator was seized by the police and brought to the station. We owe thanks to Pol Col Weeraphong Rakkhito, the Superintendent of Cherng Talay Police Station, who personally coordinated with the investigating officer to ensure it was brought to the station immediately, just as we requested,” Mr Thanong noted.
“For the past four months, we had hoped the hotel would handle this situation with sincerity. We wanted to feel that the hotel saw us as part of their family and would act with morality and ethics. But we haven’t seen any of that during these four months, and we don’t expect to see it tomorrow. Our only hope now is that the police and investigators will speed up their investigation of the hotel and uncover the truth in time,” he said.
A follow-up meeting with Col Weeraphong and representatives for the hotel is scheduled for today (Aug 10).