A 51-year-old Thai woman has died after jumping into the Ing River from a bridge in Jun district, Phayao province, following a reported dispute with her foreign husband. Emergency services launched an extensive search after her motorcycle and shoes were discovered at the scene, prompting a large-scale rescue response.
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Jun Police Station radio centre received a report from a member of the public, on 14 May 2026, at around 06:40, that a person had jumped from the Long Bridge, also known locally as the Mae Ing River bridge, at the boundary between Ban Nam Jun in Tambon Lor and Ban Wan Sai in Moo 7, Tambon Hong Hin. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the location.
The missing woman was later identified as 51-year-old Yeowapha Sombun, a local resident of Jun district, Phayao. Her family said she had not been reachable since around 23:00 on the night of 13 May 2026. It was also reported that she had argued seriously with her foreign husband, whose name and nationality was not disclosed by authorities, shortly before leaving home and investigators believe emotional distress may have contributed to the incident.
When officers arrived at the bridge, they found her motorcycle parked near the edge and a pair of shoes placed on the riverbank. The discovery triggered an urgent search operation involving multiple agencies, with divers and rescue teams deployed to search the Ing River. Units included Siam Phayao Foundation Chiang Kham Point, Siam Chiang Rai Foundation, Luecha Phayao Foundation, Buddhayan/Natee Phayao, Saeng Tham Chiang Rai Foundation, Norasing Jun Association, Phra That King Kaeng Rescue, Chiang Muan Rescue Association, local administrative organisations, Jun District administrative officers, Hong Hin and Thung Ruang Thong municipalities, Jun Police Station, and Jun Hospital. Search efforts continued for more than 6.5 hours.
Kaoded reported that the woman’s body was eventually found submerged in the river approximately 300 metres from the bridge. Officers recovered the body and coordinated with the investigating officer at Jun Police Station and a doctor from Jun Hospital for initial examination procedures. Authorities confirmed that the family did not dispute the cause of death and the body was released to relatives for funeral rites.
Pictures courtesy of kaoded
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Kaoded 16 May 2026