Phing Chyada had visited the establishment three times since early October to have massages. - Photo: The Nation/ANN
BANGKOK: A masseuse who allegedly performed a neck-twisting massage on a Thai singer, who subsequently died, has asked for fairness and an opportunity to tell her side of her story.
Speaking to English broadsheet Bangkok Post, the masseuse, identified as Ms Aoy, said she was shocked to hear of Phing Chyada’s death, but she was not sure if she personally attended to the 20-year-old singer.
This is because the incident allegedly took place over two months ago and Ms Aoy said she could not remember all her clients.
Thai media reports said Phing had visited the establishment in Udon Thani province in north-east Thailand three times since early October to have massages for her stiff neck.
The case came to light on Dec 8 when the Drama Addict Facebook page posted a message that Phing had died.
“I was so shocked when I heard that I was that masseuse,” Ms Aoy told the Bangkok Post. “I have been a masseuse for years and I have never faced such a situation before.”
Claiming that she is licensed to be a massage therapist, Ms Aoy added: “I am asking for fairness and am ready to prove the truth.”
The newspaper also reported that the shop where Phing was treated has seven licensed therapists, all of whom have completed a 150-hour training session, as required by the law.
Phing reportedly had numbness in her limbs, among other symptoms. Her condition progressively got worse after each massage session.
She later sought medical treatment, but died of blood poisoning.
Udon Thani public health office chief, Dr Somchaichot Piyawatwela, said an autopsy revealed Phing’s death was due to sepsis and fungal infection.
There was no confirmation linking her death to the massage.
Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan found no evidence of cervical bone fractures or dislocations, confirming that the case was not linked to massage.
The minister said the MRI showed clear evidence that the massage was unrelated to the woman’s condition.
“We must ensure fairness for all parties involved,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post quoted a source as saying that the singer’s mother still had questions on whether her daughter’s death was due to conditions linked to the neck-twisting massage.
However, she reportedly decided against seeking another autopsy after discussions with relatives. - The Straits Times/ANN
