LOP BURI: A man was injured when an electric massage chair malfunctioned, nearly strangling him, at a department store in Muang district.
Sgt Maj 1 Suthas Muangpha, 63, a retired soldier, said he had been a regular user of the massage chair service at the store. He found it relaxing.
On Monday, he put 20 baht in coins into the slot in one of chairs, as usual, for a 10-minute massage.
It functioned normally for about 5 minutes. Then the rollers suddenly began strangling his neck and head. He shouted for help and people came to his rescue, Thai media reported.
He suffered head injuries and swollen eyes.
Representatives of the company that installed the chairs later visited the injured victim, and gave him 20,000 baht in compensation.
TV Channel 8 said the representatives said the firm would take responsibility if anyone else suffered the same problem.
But Sgt Maj 1 Suthas said he was now scared off using the chairs - for good.
Photos of the retired soldier and his injuries drew sympathy after they were posted online.
