Thread: Tragic End for Thai Singer, Allegedly After Complications from Multiple Massage Sessi

Chayada Prao-hom, a beloved singer in the Luk Thung and Mor Lam genres (Thai country/Issan music), passed away following alleged complications from three massage sessions in Udon Thani province.


Chayada Prao-hom, visited a local massage shop in Udon Thani seeking relief for a backache after a performance originally on October 5th. The massage sessions, two of which included intensive neck manipulations, were intended to alleviate her discomfort. However, instead of relief, Chayada began to experience severe symptoms. According to her boyfriend, whose identity was withheld, Chayada reported numbness on one side of her body and an inability to use her left arm shortly after the sessions.


The situation deteriorated further. Chayada shared on her social media that she first noticed only a shoulder ache before her visits, but post-massage, she suffered from intense pain in the back of her head, arm numbness, and progressively worsening full-body stiffness. Her symptoms escalated to the point where she could not move or even help herself, leading to her becoming bedridden. The singer had revealed that on her third visit, the masseuse had an alleged “heavy hand,” resulting in swelling and bruises that lingered for a week.


Her health took a worse turn as she experienced sensations of both cold and heat, tingling in her fingers, and further spread of numbness across her torso. Chayada’s condition was ultimately diagnosed as a result of a blood infection and brain swelling, leading to her death in the early hours of Sunday morning, December 8th, while in ICU.


This tragedy has sparked lots of online discussion on the safety of Thai traditional massage techniques, particularly those involving the neck. Professor Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, an advisor to the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, warned about the dangers of neck twisting or flicking, which can lead to damage of the carotid and vertebral arteries, potentially causing strokes or paralysis.


The Department of Health Service Support (HSS) has announced plans to inspect the accreditation and licensing of the massage shop in question to ensure compliance with safety standards. The name of the shop and exact location, however, were withheld by authorities pending a further investigation as is Thai law.

Tragic End for Thai Singer, Allegedly After Complications from Multiple Massage Sessions - The Pattaya News

Originally Posted by misskit

This tragedy has sparked lots of online discussion on the safety of Thai traditional massage techniques, particularly those involving the neck. Professor Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, an advisor to the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, warned about the dangers of neck twisting or flicking, which can lead to damage of the carotid and vertebral arteries, potentially causing strokes or paralysis.

For many years I have refused that move where they put you in a headlock and twist your neck sharply. I have seen that often in action movies and it always ends badly.

A Singaporean man also died after a massage in Patong over the weekend.

His wife seemed to be in a rush to get him home for burial and refused an autopsy.

Singaporean dies after massage in Phuket

A 52-year-old Singaporean man died Saturday night after a massage he received at a parlour in the seaside town of Patong on Phuket.


Lee Mun Tuck’s wife told police that, before the massage, her husband had drunk beer and was lacking rest.


Patong police commander, Pol Colonel Chalermchai Hernsawat, told reporters that Tuck’s wife does not want to file a complaint against the massage parlour, declined an autopsy and just wants to take her husband’s body back to Singapore for a funeral.


Chalermchai said he was alerted by the massage parlour at about 11pm Saturday evening to a customer who had stopped breathing after receiving a massage.


Police were told that Tuck was a regular customer who had a 45-minute oil massage and had fallen asleep. Staff noticed he was snoring loudly, but became alarmed when it stopped.


A medical team rushed to provide CPR, but was unable to resuscitate him. He was taken to Patong Hospital, but doctors there could not revive him either.

Singaporean dies after massage in Phuket

Health Minister Clarifies Myelitis Case

Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin has provided details on the case of a 20-year-old woman diagnosed with myelitis, whose death has drawn public scrutiny regarding a possible connection to therapeutic massage. The patient, who had no prior medical conditions, developed symptoms including neck pain, arm weakness, and tingling sensations after receiving a massage. She later succumbed to complications from septic shock on December 8 at Udonthani Hospital.


The patient initially sought treatment for limb weakness and other symptoms in October 2024. Medical evaluations, including X-rays and MRI scans, ruled out fractures or dislocations in the cervical vertebrae. A diagnosis of myelitis, or spinal cord inflammation, was made, and treatment was administered. While her condition briefly improved, she suffered a severe relapse, leading to her death despite intensive care efforts.


The Ministry of Public Health clarified that medical evidence does not indicate a link between the patient’s condition and the massages she received. Thorough investigations, including imaging studies, were conducted to assess the circumstances of her illness. The findings concluded that the massage treatments were unrelated to the development of myelitis or the subsequent complications.


Expressing commitment to ensuring transparency and providing accurate information to address public concerns, Minister Somsak has called for the public to rely on medical evidence to understand the case and to avoid assumptions that could unfairly implicate individuals or practices.

NBT CONNEXT - Health Minister Clarifies Myelitis Case

Originally Posted by misskit

A diagnosis of myelitis, or spinal cord inflammation

Originally Posted by misskit

medical evidence does not indicate a link between the patient’s condition and the massages she received.

You don't need to be a doctor to imagine that severe manipulation of the neck might have some effect on someone with inflammation of the spinal cord.

I'll stick with the gentle, oil massage.