Ayutthaya tree fall injures Spanish tourists

Five Spanish tourists were injured when a large flame tree collapsed inside Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya on 16 August.

The tree fell at about 12.30pm near the wall of the historic temple, where large numbers of Thai and foreign visitors had gathered to view the ancient monuments. Two men and three women were hurt.

Rescue workers from the Phutthaisawan Foundation, police and nearby tourists rushed to help lift branches from those trapped beneath the fallen tree. The injured tourists were taken to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital.

One male tourist, Mr. Javier de Esteban Lucea, 55, a Spanish national, suffered the most serious injuries, including fractured right ribs and a double fracture of his left leg. The others suffered wounds and pain to the body and legs, as well as grazes, according to reports.

Witnesses heard the tree crack

One tourist who saw the incident said many visitors were standing near the Wat Si Sanphet wall when they heard the tree making a cracking sound.

A loud crash followed as the large flame tree came down on tourists. People nearby immediately began removing branches from the injured visitors before emergency teams arrived.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet is one of Ayutthaya's best-known historic sites and is regularly visited by overseas tourists, including day-trippers travelling from Bangkok.

Hollow trunk may have weakened tree

An inspection at the scene found that the large flame tree (royal poinciana) had a hollow, decayed interior, which had weakened its structure before it broke and fell.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Officials believe the tree was several decades old and that its deteriorating condition contributed to the collapse.

Workers cleared branches from the area and officials inspected the site to prevent further danger to visitors continuing to tour the ancient monuments.

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17 August 2026