BANGKOK – The rainy season took yet another innocent life yesterday when Nattawan “Plum” Boonsathivorn, 29, froze to death in her cubicle at work, a victim of what police have assessed as “acute office hypothermia” or AOP.
The tragedy took place at the offices of Fin-Thai Financial Services PCL, located on the 22nd floor of Bangkok City Tower on Sathorn Road. Nattawan had been hired in April 2009 as an executive secretary, a position that placed her at a desk directly under the office’s most powerful air-conditioning vent.
According to office staff, Nattawan was working late Monday night on a deadline assignment, and was the last one in the office. Her stiff, lifeless body was discovered by cleaning staff early the next morning. Forensic specialist Dr. Porntip Rojanasunan confirmed the cause of death as air-conditioning.
Many of her shocked and grieving colleagues blame themselves for not recognizing the danger signs earlier.
“Plum was always complaining about how cold she was,” said her supervisor, who asked not to be named. “She was already wearing a winter coat at work, and just last month she started wearing fingerless gloves just so she could keep typing at her computer. We should have taken better care of her.”
Initial police investigation of the Fin-Thai climate revealed that office temperatures were averaging 19 degrees Celsius, which is within the legal minimum but is considered dangerous for some Thais, especially those who come from rural, non-air-conditioned backgrounds. Nattawan was from Udon Thani.
Police did not say whether the management of Fin-Thai would be liable for Nattawan’s death. However, a spokesperson for Fin-Thai insisted that the air-conditioning system was centrally controlled by Bangkok City Tower, and that normally the office temperature is a safer 25 degrees.
However, the plunge in outside air temperatures during the prolonged rainy season had not been matched with a subsequent adjustment to the building thermostat settings, resulting in the fatal office conditions that ultimately killed Nattawan.
“Office managers have a responsibility to maintain safe working conditions,” said new Minister of Labour Padeumchai Sasomsap in a prepared statement. “We will make sure to investigate this tragedy fully and learn from it.”
Padeumchai also announced a new initiative to prevent future incidences of AOP, including guidelines on how to dress warmly for air-conditioned offices, such as the correct use of wool scarves and hats that cover the ears.
