A 3-year-old Lao boy suffered severe injuries after being scalded with hot water by a Thai doctor at a clinic in Chonburi Province, Thailand. The child’s father has vowed to pursue legal action against the clinic.
According to Thai media, the child’s grandfather took him to the clinic on 24 October as he developed a high fever.
At the clinic, a nurse administered an injection and monitored the child for about ten minutes. During this period, the boy went into shock. The nurse then called the doctor for assistance.
The doctor initially instructed staff to place a towel on the child’s chest and pour warm water over it in an attempt to stabilize him. When this failed, the doctor reportedly poured hot water directly onto the boy’s chest twice.
The doctor assured the grandfather that this method was a standard procedure for children with high fevers. The clinic then charged THB 450 (approximately USD 14) and advised the family to continue care at home rather than transferring the boy to a hospital.
After returning home, the child experienced severe pain. His father, Pouthsamai, took him to Pluak Daeng Hospital, where doctors found dangerously high kidney values.
The child was then transferred to Rayong Hospital for further treatment. He is currently stable but remains under close medical supervision.
The father expressed shock and concern over the incident, noting that his son now fears nurses and becomes anxious during basic care. He criticized the clinic for instructing them not to seek hospital treatment and for describing the actions as normal medical practice.
The family’s lawyer Sarawout Jongchaiyo emphasized that pouring hot water on a child is not recognized in any professional medical guidelines. Proper treatment for high fever typically involves cooling measures and monitoring vital signs.
The father stated he intends to pursue the case to the full extent of the law. Authorities are currently investigating the actions of the clinic staff while the child continues to recover at Rayong Hospital.


 
                                    