Nakhon Ratchasima officials dismissed a report that a 21-year-old man died of a heart attack after he drew a red card at the military drafting lottery this morning.
Itthipan Weerapat, village headman of Korat’s Khong district, denied rumors this afternoon that 21-year-old Tanong Silaklang died of shock after learning he’d have to serve in the military.
READ: What it’s like to (almost) get drafted into the Thai military
Tanong did collapse in the heat at the military drafting center at the Khong District Office and did die while being transported to a hospital. But Itthipan said it happened during the checkup part of the process before the card lottery was held. He was stabilized before being transported to the hospital, during which he died.
Doctors said Tanong died due to heart failure.
His father, Kasem Silaklang, said his son had just graduated from high school and wished to serve the country to gain welfare benefits for his parents, Matichon reported.
