Four Die in Well Rescue Attempt in Phang Nga

Very sad. RIP.

With everyone having fans hopefully they will start using them prior to entering a confined space to clear out any dangerous gases and raise oxygen levels for safety

RIP ! But how could 4 people enter that narrow and deep well without any mask or other safety equipment ?

44 minutes ago, J Branche said:

Very sad. RIP.

With everyone having fans hopefully they will start using them prior to entering a confined space to clear out any dangerous gases and raise oxygen levels for safety

I'm sorry but this is a dangerous suggestion as a normal fan wouldn't work because there's no way for clean air to enter at that depth. Only possible way would be forced ventilation using an industrial fan with flexible duct forcing air to the bottom of the shaft which in turn would force any carbon monoxide and methane out as it's lighter. Still might have a problem with hydrogen sulphide though if present, as this is heavier than air so could possibly remain at the bottom and therefore a 2nd fan at the bottom of the shaft forcibly extracting this may be required. Hydrogen sulphide though is mainly found in foul sewers where it is produced by the breakdown of bacteria and often released when workers disturb the sludge. I wouldn't have thought of it in a well but as they're not common in my country, I can't really comment accurately. A simple gas detector lowered prior to entry could have saved these poor guys lives. However as with many things in Thailand, equipment such as this is often priced out of the range of normal workers.

Lesson learned? Zero learned.....this is quite common here in Thailand...gas detectors are likely hard to get....and cost a bit as well....just send 'em down anyway!

Looks like when the professionals arrived they had ventilation equipment and air-paks.

It was the amateurs who entered instinctively that paid the price?

3 hours ago, TopThai1964 said:

RIP ! But how could 4 people enter that narrow and deep well without any mask or other safety equipment ?

It is clear you do not understand village life, and the reality that people have just about zero tools. Go look at a site where they are building something. Two hammers, and an ancient level that is completely useless, since it has been dropped 100+ times. I mean, the welders don't even wear a welding helmet / black glass ... to protect their eyes. Just let that sink in for a moment. And you think people cleaning out a hole in the ground have "masks and safety equipment?"

3 hours ago, TopThai1964 said:

RIP ! But how could 4 people enter that narrow and deep well without any mask or other safety equipment ?

A sad tragedy- RIP

As to the lack of equipment- it is a tired cliche but we must remember TIT

4 hours ago, TopThai1964 said:

RIP ! But how could 4 people enter that narrow and deep well without any mask or other safety equipment ?

4 hours ago, TopThai1964 said:

RIP ! But how could 4 people enter that narrow and deep well without any mask or other safety equipment ?

Zero training on confined space entry, as someone else has said, not the right eqpt.

Safety has never been a high priority in Thailand, Asian lives are cheap

Terrible news, but sadly this was a "perfect storm" example of why old plantation wells are literally death traps.

In a plantation environment, the well would likely collect organic matter (leaves, palm debris, insects) that fall in and are then broken down by bacteria to produce noxious gases like methane and CO2, just like a septic tank.

As if that's not bad enough, these gases are heavier than air so they pool at the bottom, and tropical soils also "exhale" massive amounts of gas after rain.

So sad. I imagine everyone wanted to save the first two, but allowing two more to go down is a tragedy. Lack of education and equipment sure, but don't forget, when your mates are in trouble, the feeling that you need to do something is very strong.

4 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Zero training on confined space entry, as someone else has said, not the right eqpt.

PJ71 - If you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I find it hard to believe anyone could live in Thailand for more than a month and still wonder about "training on confined space entry" and "the right equipment." I certainly doubt you have spent any time involved in "village life." Specialized training??? Are you kidding right now??? 555!

Reminds me on the Songkhla case, in 2018 or so.

4 people died. Working in sewer. Started with one and the ones after all tried to help !

Panic situation and not really thinking it over. Know about this as my wife was there as labor inspector.

Even more panic as guys arrived who could measure and did. Whole area was then shut down.

Many people came to see !

When I was working in oil refineries, they gave me the strict order.

If you see someone going down then dont go there, DONT help. Go to control room and tell.

High concentrations of H2S you dont smell and kills you in jiffy time.

Have also been working on plant with 100 bar system of CO.

But, I checked, still farmers are being killed by working on manure tanks.

Any enclosed space is a potential danger, lack of oxygen, higher levels of toxic gasses.

Even 13 meter high and wide tanks can be dangerous. Many cautions before entering. and then still with

external air supply and special clothes maybe even.

You dont, then you play with your life.

In India they also dont take care too much, 631 people died in 10 year time, cleaning septic thanks and so on. No cause mentioned, but could be easily due to lack of oxygen.

See pic

A Municipal Corporation worker enters a manhole for sewage cleaning at Mahatama Gandhi Road, in Kolkata

RIP

so after reading the comments

people better throw a few matches down the hatch and if it explodes, it is not safe to go down ?

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Four men have died after entering a 6-metre-deep well in Kuraburi district, Phang Nga, with initial attempts of rescue, also overcome while attempting to help. Authorities believe either a lack of oxygen or the build-up of toxic gases caused the fatalities. Two additional people narrowly survived after being pulled out in time.

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The incident occurred at around 11.30am on 26 April 2026 in a palm oil plantation in Moo 11, Ban Saeng Tham, tambon Kura. According to the Phang Nga Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, two villagers had entered the well to dismantle and clean it when they lost consciousness.

The deceased were named as Suthon Kongkaew, 42; Suthat, 34; Theeradon Chueasanga, 30; and Wahab Chueasanga, 51. All were local workers and residents. Officials said two of the men first entered the well and collapsed, prompting two other workers to go down to assist, only to suffer the same fate. A fifth individual descended using a rope but signalled distress after experiencing symptoms and was pulled to safety.

Rescue teams with specialised equipment were deployed after initial attempts to recover the victims by fellow workers failed due to low oxygen levels and confined space conditions. A first rescue worker, also entered to attempt a fast snatch rescue, but was quickly retrieved before losing consciousness.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

Recovery of the four bodies required coordination between multiple rescue units, including teams from Ranong, Surat Thani, and Takua Pa. Rescue teams used ventilation fans and breathing apparatus to reach the bodies safely.

Local residents reported that the well had been unused for years, raising the possibility of accumulated toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide. Authorities have warned that confined spaces like wells can rapidly become fatal environments without proper ventilation and protective equipment.

Daily News reported that officials said a full investigation will be carried out to confirm the exact cause of death. The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with families mourning the sudden loss of the victims.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 27 Apr 2026

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Sad 🙏🙏🙏

4 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

PJ71 - If you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I find it hard to believe anyone could live in Thailand for more than a month and still wonder about "training on confined space entry" and "the right equipment." I certainly doubt you have spent any time involved in "village life." Specialized training??? Are you kidding right now??? 555!

I've lived in rural thailand since the last 14 years or 'village life' as you like to call it.

I think we're saying the same thing btw, that's they died coz they had a lack of knowledge of the dangers.

Sounds to me like a definite case of HYDROGEN SULFIDE gas poisoning, which can happen in seconds.

Extremely dangerous.

People die at hot springs in Taiwan from just this cause.

They should have lowered a gas meter and read the data before allowing human decent into the unknown.

Horrible accident, RIP to all.

9 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Sounds to me like a definite case of HYDROGEN SULFIDE gas poisoning, which can happen in seconds.

Extremely dangerous.

People die at hot springs in Taiwan from just this cause.

They should have lowered a gas meter and read the data before allowing human decent into the unknown.

Are you thick !!!!!!! were do they get a gas meter! where is the train!ng !! do you think thais know what HYDROGEN SULFIDE gas is !! Do thais know What confind space is !!

Another thread today of a woman dying after trying to rescue her dog from a well.

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Are you thick !!!!!!! were do they get a gas meter! where is the train!ng !! do you think thais know what HYDROGEN SULFIDE gas is !! Do thais know What confind space is !!

They do.

Of course they do.

33 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

They do.

Of course they do.

You need to get out in country before you talk b/s

While the term "ที่อับอากาศ" (Confined Space) is recognized in Thai legal and industrial contexts, general awareness among the average Thai, particularly in rural or informal sectors, is often limited until a serious accident occurs. 

Confined space safety violations are among the most common industrial accidents in Thailand, frequently leading to fatalities (approx. 2-3 major incidents reported annually in media), highlighting a gap between regulation and practical awareness

12 hours ago, PJ71 said:

I've lived in rural thailand since the last 14 years or 'village life' as you like to call it.

I think we're saying the same thing btw, that's they died coz they had a lack of knowledge of the dangers.

Yes, exactly, correct, they died because they lacked knowledge ... but that is a far cry from your observation that they lacked "training on confined space entry" and "the right equipment." Here. let me try to give you an example that might get you to understand how absurd your statement was. ~~~ Please tell me about a place, anywhere, where it is normal for the general population to receive "Training on confined space entry" and where it is normal to own "the right equipment" for that kind of environment. I am reacting to your post because you could literally read the news and post the comment "This person did not receive special training or have special equipment etc etc etc ..." 24/7 - 365!! Which begs the question, what, exactly was your point?? And the answer might be, your internal foreigner belief system that (we) are somehow better, smarter, etc requires you to make "we are better than you" comments!

4 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

Yes, exactly, correct, they died because they lacked knowledge ... but that is a far cry from your observation that they lacked "training on confined space entry" and "the right equipment." Here. let me try to give you an example that might get you to understand how absurd your statement was. ~~~ Please tell me about a place, anywhere, where it is normal for the general population to receive "Training on confined space entry" and where it is normal to own "the right equipment" for that kind of environment. I am reacting to your post because you could literally read the news and post the comment "This person did not receive special training or have special equipment etc etc etc ..." 24/7 - 365!! Which begs the question, what, exactly was your point?? And the answer might be, your internal foreigner belief system that (we) are somehow better, smarter, etc requires you to make "we are better than you" comments!

Yes.

I do not like "better than thou" statements unless there is actually supporting evidence.

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Yes.

I do not like "better than thou" statements unless there is actually supporting evidence.

Interesting. Do you have a few examples?

6 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Are you thick !!!!!!! were do they get a gas meter! where is the train!ng !! do you think thais know what HYDROGEN SULFIDE gas is !! Do thais know What confind space is !!

Went down to the 7 today, bought some beer, cigarettes, and a gas meter ... as one does here in Thailand. 555

1 hour ago, JustinTyme said:

Went down to the 7 today, bought some beer, cigarettes, and a gas meter ... as one does here in Thailand. 555

Rubbish post. get the right meter that is a natural gas meter does not detect HYDROGEN SULFIDE

42 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Rubbish post. get the right meter that is a natural gas meter does not detect HYDROGEN SULFIDE

OMG. Thank You! Literally "Laughed Out Loud"

7 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

Interesting. Do you have a few examples?

Yes.

I am better than thou.