Bartender Drowns in Mekong River After Falling from Beneath a Balcony

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A 24-year-old bartender drowned in the Mekong River after accidentally falling from beneath a balcony while urinating. Despite efforts to swim to safety, the strong currents ultimately claimed his life.

 

The incident occurred in the early morning of 1 March, just after sunrise, near the Viking Moo Kratha restaurant in the Tha Kwai community, Nakhon Phanom. Local residents reported seeing a young man lose his balance and fall into the river while relieving himself from under the restaurant’s balcony. Witnesses described how he initially managed to swim approximately 50 metres but was ultimately swept away by the powerful current.

 

Authorities were alerted, and the Underwater Demolition Unit of the Mekong Riverine Patrol (NRKC) was called in to assist in the search. A rescue team of 10 divers and two patrol boats scoured the area for hours before discovering the victim’s body submerged approximately 50 metres from the fall site.

 

The deceased was identified as Thanawit, 24, a resident of Nong Buek, Nakhon Phanom Municipality. His body was recovered by the Sawangnawa Rescue Team and transported to Nakhon Phanom Hospital for an official autopsy.

 

Two local farmers who were watering crops along the riverbank in the morning reported witnessing the incident. They stated that they saw a young man walking down from the Viking Moo Kratha restaurant to relieve himself near the balcony supports. Moments later, he appeared to lose his footing and tumble down the steep riverbank, which drops 7–8 metres. He managed to stay afloat for a short distance before disappearing beneath the water.

 

Thanawit’s mother, Mrs. Khan, 55, expressed disbelief at the news, stating that her son was a strong swimmer. She recounted that after finishing work at a local bar, he had gone to watch a Mor Lam concert at a nearby temple festival before heading to the restaurant with friends.

 

Initially, she refused to believe her son had drowned, citing his experience as a former Air Force conscript in Ubon Ratchathani, where he had trained extensively.

 

Following the autopsy, doctors confirmed that Thanawit had died from drowning. With no suspicion of foul play, the family was permitted to retrieve his body for traditional funeral rites.

 

-- 2025-03-02

 

[flyingtlger]

 

23 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

A 24-year-old bartender drowned in the Mekong River after accidentally falling from beneath a balcony while urinating.

That's what you get when you piss () off Mother Nature.......