Community Chiang Mai: Woman Drowns in Ping River After Leaving Message for Her Daughter

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An incident unfolded in Chiang Mai on the early morning of 24 June, as a woman drowned in the Ping River after making a final phone call to leave money for her daughter. Rescue teams are continuing the search for her body after witnesses reported her disappearing beneath the strong current.

 

Police from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station received an emergency report regarding a distressed woman who was on the Pa Khoi Tai Bridge in the municipal area of Chiang Mai city. The caller also strangely gave the telephone number of the distressed woman.

 

Initial attempts by officers to contact the woman and the person who reported the situation were unsuccessful, with more than ten calls going unanswered. Eventually, the alleged distressed woman returned the call, reportedly speaking in a hopeless tone, telling the officer, “I’m leaving 300 baht for my daughter,” before abruptly ending the conversation. She could not be reached again after that.

 

A police patrol and rescuers were then dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival at the Pa Khoi Tai Bridge, officers spotted the woman struggling to stay afloat in the fast-flowing Ping River. Despite desperate efforts to swim to safety, she was visibly exhausted and battling the strong current.

 

Rescue personnel entered the water and attempted to reach her, but the current overwhelmed her and she sank beneath the surface just as help approached. The incident occurred in full view of responders, both in the water and on the land, who were unable to save her in time.

 

The Mae Jo Rescue Foundation, along with a team of divers, launched a search operation. The search continued all day, but the woman’s body has not yet been recovered.

 

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek out help.

[Georgealbert]