Death of US Citizen in Udon Thani

[LoneTraveler]

Hello
I did a search of this topic and found information dating back to 2011. I am hoping there is more relevant data concerning this matter. I am seeking information from those with experience of knowing or being involved with a US citizen and/or their family concerning the process and interaction with the US Embassy in Bangkok and the Police in Udon Thani concerning a foreigner's death. I would also like to know the timeline between the notification of a death to the Police in Udon Thani and the US Embassy and the release of the body to be transported to a Buddhist Temple for Cremation.

I ask because a UK Citizen recently passed due to natural causes (heart attack as stated on the death certificate) in his home in Udon and after transporting the remains to the Thai hospital in Udon to obtain a Death Certificate and notify the Udon Police and the UK Embassy, the hospital staff told the family they could not release the body until the Thai Police notified the hospital it was ok to do so.

The notification to release the body from the Udon police took place, 5 days later. When the family came to the hospital to claim the body, they were told they had to pay 100000 baht storage fee. I hope is that it will not take 5 days to process the notification of release from the hospital of the body from the US Embassy/Udon Police.

I poured over all the information on the US Embassy Bangkok website and nowhere does it address this issue concerning a timeline between notification of a Citizen's Death and release of body to Thai Family for Cremation. It has information for processing a US Citizen's remains or reparation to the US but nothing addressing release to Thai family and I am still waiting on a reply from the email I sent. Thank you all in advance

[FrazeeDK]

an American friend of mine died back in April. He'd been taken home for hospice dying after 3 days there. His body was transported to the hospital for a rather perfunctory autopsy. It was released immediately and brought home for a 4 day wake at his house. Cremation took place at a local Wat. The US Embassy was notified in accordance with their ACS website information. The Death Certificate was issued by the hospital, translated by an authorized translator and all pertinent info and the deceased's passport provided to ACS at the embassy where a Consular Electronic death notification was provided..

[Bandung_Dero]

5 day, 100,000 Baht storage fee??? No wonder the Thais are advised to take their loved ones home to die!!!

In saying that over recent years I know of 2 Farang who passed away in the Udon General hospital and the charges were no where near that.

[LoneTraveler]

Yes, a 100000 storage fee sound high, I checked again with family and they insist this was the amount charged. I am going to have my wife followup at Udon General Hospital.

FrazeeDK "The Death Certificate was issued by the hospital, translated by an authorized translator and all pertinent info and the deceased's passport provided to ACS at the embassy where a Consular Electronic death notification was provided".. did they have to travel to Bangkok to provide the information and the passport to the US Embassy?