The incident occurred on October 9 when an 8-year-old boy drowned while playing with friends at a water overflow weir near the Phanthumrat Bridge in Klong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet. The boy, identified as a student from a local community school, was playing near the water when he accidentally fell in.

 

According to police reports, the incident happened around 15.00 when the boy and three friends were playing near the edge of the weir. Witnesses described how the boy slipped and fell into the rapidly flowing water, which was notably deeper than one metre due to recent heavy rainfall in the area. The swift current created a dangerous whirlpool that made it impossible for him to resurface.

 

 

Upon realising their friend was missing, the other children quickly ran to nearby adults at a food stall for help. However, the strong current made it too risky for anyone to enter the water. They then called emergency services for assistance.

 

Responders from the Klong Lan Subdistrict and the Kamphaeng Phet Volunteer Rescue Foundation swiftly mobilized over 20 volunteers and divers to the scene. The area, which serves as a local flood control structure, was crowded with onlookers as rescue efforts commenced.

 

After approximately one hour of searching, the rescue team located the boy’s body. The atmosphere was filled with sorrow as the child’s mother and relatives were present, grieving at the sight of the recovery.

 

Local authorities conducted a preliminary investigation and reiterated warnings to the community about the dangers of playing in or near hazardous water areas, especially during heavy rains. They urged parents to keep their children away from risky water sites to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

 

The boy’s body was taken to Klong Lan Hospital for an autopsy before being released to his family.

 

Picture from responders.

 

-- 2024-10-10

 

 

I can remember back when I was 10yr old, when a boy from our school drowned swimming near the bridge supports in the river Thames, it was was popular then for us kids to go swimming in the river, especially during the summer holidays, but most did it a long way from the bridge.

At Morning School assembly, we got a very strong lecture on what had happened and why, that year our school built a small swimming pool, maybe only about 5meters wide and 20meters max long, then we all had swimming lessons (games) it was bloody freezing, but we got on and done it, I remember the teacher got the whole class to walk around in the water in one direction until we had created a current, then she blew the whistle and we had to change direction against the current, although I could already swim, it was a very important lesson learnt. The pool was open for us to use in the summer holidays, we had no local swimming pool at that time. Oh and I was the first one ever to swim the length of it underwater, and mentioned in assembly. I taught myself to swim on our 2 week holiday every year while mum and dad slept in deckchairs, I was the only one in our family out of 5 able to swim. (and drive when I got older)  

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

After approximately one hour of searching, the rescue team located the boy’s body. The atmosphere was filled with sorrow as the child’s mother and relatives were present, grieving at the sight of the recovery.

I feel so sorry for them, letting them play near a flooded weir without adult supervision.

30+ youngest have succumbed this week

 

Who’s responsible?

 

 

20 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I feel so sorry for them, letting them play near a flooded weir without adult supervision.

It would take an understanding of danger, also the need to learn how to swim/stay afloat, etc, but sadly, as we know, thais either have no idea, or simple ignore it... And it's not limited to water/swimming