Accident Mun River: 8-Year-Old Girl Drowns as Heroic Boy 7, Saves Grandmother

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A boat capsized in the middle of the Mun River in Buriram province, leading to the death of an 8-year-old girl and a dramatic rescue that saw a 7-year-old boy hailed as a hero for saving his 58-year-old grandmother.

 

The incident occurred near Ban Pla Khao, in Mueang Phutthaisong district, when four individuals were attempting to cross the river in a small wooden boat. The vessel capsized unexpectedly, plunging all occupants into the water.

 

 

One of the children, Thanaphat, known as “Phupha”, aged 7, showed remarkable presence of mind. He managed to climb onto the back of the 18-year-old rower, the only one among the group who could swim, and together they reached the riverbank. The boy then extended a wooden stick to his struggling grandmother, enabling her to grab hold and be pulled to safety.

 

The victim, an 8-year-old girl named “Fren”, a P2 student, had been sitting toward the rear of the boat when it overturned. She vanished beneath the water’s surface, sparking a desperate search. Emergency responders and local villagers scoured the area for over an hour before recovering her lifeless body, to the anguished cries of her mother and grandfather.

 

According to Ladda, the girl’s mother, the family had gone to nearby rice fields to forage for red ant eggs. Her daughter had been left under the care of an aunt near the trees while others ventured out. Moments later, the aunt returned in panic, reporting that the child had fallen into the river.

 

Eighteen-year-old Setthakit, who was steering the boat, told police that he had spotted the vessel abandoned by the riverside and decided to take it for a short ride across the river. The two children had asked to join, and an older relative, 58-year-old Pian, also boarded out of concern for their safety. Setthakit warned the children not to play in the boat, but his caution came too late.

 

As the boat reached the middle of the river on the return journey, it capsized. Setthakit managed to rescue only the 7-year-old boy, who later ran to the village for help.

 

Pian, the grandmother who cannot swim, recalled the terror of slowly sinking. “I swalloed several gulps of water and thought I was going to die,” she said. “Then I heard my grandson shouting and saw a stick extended toward me. When I grabbed it and looked up, it was my 7-year-old grandson pulling me to shore.”

 

Local police are investigating the incident, while community members have praised the bravery and quick thinking of young Phupha, whose actions undoubtedly saved a life.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-04-26.