Chaiyaphum: A mentally ill patient created chaos at Chaiyaphum Hospital when he went berserk and smashed tables on the second floor, leading many to mistakenly believe an earthquake had struck.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident caused panic among hospital visitors and staff, prompting a mass evacuation. A Facebook user shared a video showing hospital staff assisting patients in exiting the building, while others, including patients' relatives, crowded outside. The video captured loud noises that heightened the fear of an earthquake, although no investigation had been conducted at that moment.
Reporters who visited Chaiyaphum Hospital found no evidence of an earthquake or structural damage. The disturbance was traced back to a psychiatric patient, approximately 20 years old, who became agitated during treatment. The head of the hospital's security team explained that the patient, brought in by relatives for treatment, began banging tables and throwing objects, creating loud noises. This led to confusion and panic among those waiting on the first floor, who, unaware of the true cause, fled the building. A shout about the building shaking further fueled the chaos. Hospital staff eventually managed to calm the patient, allowing him to resume his wait to see a doctor.