Fury as hotel manager 'bars worker from visiting her dying mother'

Boss at Thai InterContinental hotel ‘bans worker from visiting her dying mother then threatens to sack her for attending funeral’ sparking fury – before Brit chain suspends manager

• Hotel was inundated with complaints after disgruntled worker spoke to media
• The manager has now been suspended pending further investigation, hotel said 

An luxury British hotel chain has suspended a manager who allegedly stopped a worker from visiting her dying mother – then threatened to sack her for attending the funeral.

The HR boss at the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort – part of the International Hotel Group – allegedly denied a request from Kodchakorn Tongbangprong to visit her dying mother Pranee Tongon on her deathbed in Buriram, Thailand, on August 15.

Kodchakorn claims she instead was forced to make a harrowing video call to her sick mother just six hours before she passed away.

She claims that the manager Nonglak Wongkha then told her she would have to resign if she wanted to go to her mother’s funeral.

The supervisor allegedly told her: ‘Are you saying you are quitting the job? Once you’re done with your personal business, drop by and sign your resignation letter.’

HR boss at the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort – part of the International Hotel Group – allegedly denied a request from Kodchakorn Tongbangprong (right) to visit her dying mum Pranee Tongon on her deathbed in Buriram, Thailand

Kodchakorn’s mother Pranee Tongon (pictured) died just six hours after her daughter called her in the hospital

Kodchakorn was not permitted to see her mother (pictured) before she died, having to settle for a heartbreaking phonecall

Kodchakorn claims her manager Nonglak Wongkha (pictured) told her she would have to resign if she wanted to go to her mother’s funeral

Kodchakorn complained to local media and on Thursday the hotel’s social media pages were bombarded with scathing reviews from furious locals.

A spokesman for the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort said that Nonglak – the manager – has now been suspended while they investigate the issue. They also said they had visited the employee Kodchakorn and assured her that her job was safe.

The firm said: ‘Following the recent incident that has been widely reported on social media we have suspended a member of staff from the resort while we continue the investigation into a manager’s conduct.

‘One of our colleagues has recently lost her mother and we want to express our profound sympathy and support for her and her grieving family. They are not alone; we stand by them during this trying time with unwavering compassion.

‘The well-being of our colleagues is a priority etched in our hearts. Within the resort, we hold steadfast to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ values, which underscore doing what’s right and genuinely caring. These principles illuminate our path and define our every endeavour.’

Kodchakorn Tongbangprong showed screenshots of a chat conversation between herself and the boss in which she asked for permission to leave to visit her critically ill mother.

However, Nonglak’s response was a refusal, accompanied by an order for Kodchakorn to return to work immediately – or visit her mum but return later and hand in her resignation.

Government officials are now investigating the case.

InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is pictured

The funeral scene for Kodchakom’s mother is pictured

Kodchakorn was told her job was safe by hotel authorities

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said he had ordered staff from the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to interview those involved.

Officials summoned the hotel executive for a hearing on August 21 to discuss regulations concerning leave policies.

Regional government labour chief Nisai Sukhara said that employees are entitled to personal leave for significant matters, spanning a minimum of three days.

He said that employers have the authority to fire staff but they are obligated to provide severance pay, with certain exceptions.

Nisai said: ‘In the current scenario, I have not been informed of the employee’s termination. As such, I am awaiting the scheduled meeting with the hotel executive on August 21 for more insight.’

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is a British multinational hospitality company headquartered in Windsor, England. 

It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. It is also a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

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