Phuket: Myanmar Worker Drowns While Collecting Money from Krathongs

[Georgealbert]

 

 

An incident occurred in the early hours of November 16, when a Myanmar worker drowned while attempting to collect money from a krathongs during the Loy Krathong festival in Bang Maluan Park, Choeng Thale Subdistrict, Thalang District.

 

Emergency responders from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation were dispatched to the scene around 02:45 along with a team of four divers. After approximately 20 minutes of searching, they recovered the body of a man, believed to be a migrant worker from Myanmar aged between 35 and 40. The victim was found submerged at a depth of four metres, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt and khaki shorts.

 

Eyewitnesses reported that the victim was seen walking along the edge of the pond using a stick to probe for krathongs left floating in the water. One witness described seeing the man climb onto a large foam-based krathong designed as a mythical Naga serpent, measuring about 50-60 cm in diameter.

“While sitting on the Naga-shaped krathong, it overturned, causing him to fall backward into the water,” the witness recalled. “At first, we thought he was playing, but then we saw him waving his hands frantically for help before disappearing beneath the surface. We immediately called the authorities.”

 

Authorities believe the victim lost his balance and drowned after the krathong capsised. The incident highlights the dangers of engaging in risky behaviour during festive celebrations.

 

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-11-17