The First Army Region has claimed that a new conscript, who died while engaging in a group exercise at an army camp in Saraburi province, was not mistreated, but collapsed due to being overweight and died at about 9pm on June 4^th.

In a statement issued today (Wednesday), the First Army Region offered its condolences to the family of the conscript, “Wanyawut”.

According to the statement, during the group drill, under the supervision of an assistant to the drill sergeant, Wanyawut passed out and was rushed to a medical unit in the camp for first aid treatment, but his condition did not improve as he had difficulty breathing.

Medics had him taken to a military hospital at Adisorn barracks, where a doctor administered CPR unsuccessfully. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the actual cause of the death.

The statement also said that the army will arrange for an “honourable” funeral for the conscript and will assist his family as quickly as possible.

Earlier, Army Commander-in-Chief General Narongpan Jitkaewtae said that a disciplinary committee has been set up to investigate the case and to punish those responsible.

He said that he has instructed all the army’s 299 units, in which the new conscripts are based, to maintain safety standards and to ensure that they do not subject the recruits to excessive training in the sun.

It is reported that the conscript might have died from heatstroke.