Uncle helps his stubborn, asthmatic nephew

Chris Vercammen's nephew suffered an asthma attack while in the army. The instructor helped him up by hitting his head with a rifle butt. So uncle had to show up to arrange things.

When nephew, my sister-in-law's son, had to report for his army service in Phitsanulok on November 1, I never thought that “uncle” would see him again so soon. The first days in the barracks passed rather quietly and no news is good news, I thought.

Neefje is a lazy, conceited and all-knowing Thai boy of 20 years old. Or rather a real one ภาษาไทย, as I know many and this is not meant to come across as negative. When after the second week sister-in-law suddenly showed up on the doorstep in a panic with a face that spoke volumes, I already felt wet and “uncle” had to perform again.

Cousin has been an asthma sufferer since childhood. After months of no problems, he suddenly had a seizure during his training, probably due to the too strict regime. Had fallen down and had had no help from the superiors. The sergeant in charge of the training had tried to help him to his feet again by hitting his head with his rifle butt. This was the explanation of sister-in-law.

She urgently wanted to visit him in the barracks and from Chiangmai this is a trip of over 400 km. If I could drive for a while and take a closer look! First, however, I wanted to collect nephew's medical file at the Suan Dok hospital and then take it with me a day later if there were any problems with the asthma attacks.

In the meantime, let my wife inform my brother-in-law and ask if he could also come to Phitsanulok. He is also very good friends with an air force lieutenant colonel who also has his base in the large barracks, where his nephew has to do his service with the army.

Rise early, towards Phitsanulok

Up early the next day, with the necessary documents, to Phitsanulok. Hopefully, in the middle of the week, we would gain access to the barracks so that I could form an idea of ​​what had happened. When we arrived, brother-in-law was already on site and had arranged with his friend that we first had to come to the air force division and hear what had to be done there.

I was received very well by the Lt-Col. In his best English he tried to make it clear to me that the air force and the army actually live side by side in the same barracks. But he was going to help us drive to the other side of the barracks and try to clarify with the “Under-Lieutenant Instructor” what had happened and how it had gone?

The Instructor was a man about 40 years old. Now I'm a bit overweight, but I could wear his green T-shirt twice. He didn't bother to get up and when the Lt-Col spoke that I also had something to say, I saw his face change a little. The Lt-Col indicated in English that the "farang" might be right. That it was not at all acceptable what had happened in the past few days. That I made it clear to him that as Instructor he was responsible for the actions of his subordinates and that I would not stop there.

Then I also got to see cousin. He clearly had some kind of white cream on the back of his head and face to muffle the blow a bit. The Instructor then took out his cell phone and called someone. A few moments later, the doctor on duty, who had not recognized the asthma attack, was on the scene. He tried to justify his action to my wife in Thai. I then told him very clearly that he was ultimately responsible and had defaulted. I also asked his name and brother-in-law wrote it down. Discovered later in Bangkok that this doctor is no longer allowed to open a practice. Reason unknown, but this does have a smell.

Cousin gets light duty; uncle will not be bribed

Then suddenly came the proposal that nephew should be given “light duty” and report to the Military Hospital of Phitsanulok for further investigation. Could I and especially the family live with it. Suddenly a light truck came from outside the barracks with the necessary meals and the Instructor even paid in cash. Would I like to have a meal with them and the necessary bottles of beer, during the service hours, at the table with the superiors. I cannot be bribed and the Lt-Col had previously warned me that they would try to sweep the incident under the rug.

We then left the barracks, after I had spoken to my cousin and told him clearly that he could call me at any time and that I would then see what action I could take. In the meantime, he has reported to the hospital and has obtained "light duty" for the remainder of his term.

Why he did not put his stubbornness aside and did not hand over his medical file at the draw in his home city of Chiangmai is the question for me. According to the Lt-Col, he had certainly been disqualified for military service and could have continued his studies as a teacher at Far Eastern University. Why he also did not request a postponement, say submitted it too late, to finish his studies first, is also still a mystery to me.

Hopefully nephew has learned his lesson

To conclude this story, I went to talk to the rector of the university and to my great surprise, they have a set of rules that Cousin is very familiar with: you may only miss/skip 1 consecutive term. If you do not continue your studies, the previous terms expire (in his case 3,5 years or 7 terms) and he can complete his studies after 2 years of military service in the Saturday/Sunday course. This is not understandable at all!

What has stayed with me most is the reception and willingness of the air force in Phitsanulok and the anti-climax in the university. Hopefully nephew has learned his lesson and "uncle" no longer has to play the ombudsman and I can continue to enjoy my quiet "old age"!

Cousin is allowed to come home for ten days around January 18 and probably there will be other stories and more from the Thai army.