A tragic accident in Satuek district has left a family in grief and disbelief after a 44-year-old man died just hours after mistakenly drinking toilet cleaner that had been stored in a soft drink bottle. His family is now questioning why the hospital allowed him to return home despite the clear danger of chemical ingestion.
According to his sister, the man had been drinking heavily the night before and woke up feeling thirsty. He spotted a one-litre soft drink bottle filled with a green liquid, assumed it was a beverage, and drank about a quarter of it. Moments later, he asked, “What is this?” — only to discover it was toilet cleaner.
Panicked, his relatives immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, bringing along the bottle to show medical staff. Doctors examined him, prescribed some medication, and discharged him shortly after, advising the family to monitor his condition.
However, about five hours later, the man collapsed at home and became unresponsive. Emergency responders were called, but despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead.
The family said they were shocked that the hospital did not keep him for observation or perform a stomach pump procedure. A doctor who later examined the body explained that patients are often discharged if they show no immediate severe symptoms.
The owner of the cleaning agent later admitted to transferring the chemical from a large container into old soft drink bottles for convenience, adding that he was present during the incident and heard the victim ask what the liquid was only after drinking it.
The Buriram Provincial Health Office defended the hospital’s decision, saying that gastric lavage (stomach pumping) is not always suitable for acidic substances like toilet cleaner, which can corrode metal and cause additional internal injury.
Dr. Pichet Phutkhuntod clarified that inserting a tube could cause the acid to flow back into the oesophagus, increasing the risk of perforation or lung infection. Since the patient had vomited shortly after ingestion, and his condition appeared stable, he was sent home with monitoring instructions.
Health officials have extended their condolences to the bereaved family and pledged to provide support. They also reminded the public to store hazardous household chemicals securely, label them clearly, and never pour them into drink bottles or food containers, as such mistakes can be fatal.
