Phayao: Man Drowns After Birthday Blessings, Body Found 200 Metres Downstream

Picture courtesy of Komchadluek.

A 64-year-old man drowned in a swollen river in Phayao province, just after performing a religious ceremony to mark his birthday. His body was discovered over two hours later, entangled in bamboo 200 metres downstream from where he fell.

The incident occurred at the Mae Tam river behind Wat Pa Lan Kham in Mae Tam subdistrict, Mueang district. Police Lieutenant Sonthaya Pattawee, deputy investigator at Mueang Phayao Police Station, responded to the emergency call alongside a forensic medical team from Phayao Hospital and divers from Luecha Foundation, Siam Ruamjai Rescue, and Phutthayan Rescue teams.

On arrival, officers found a crowd of concerned locals gathered near the weir, where the victim, later identified as Mr Kamol, was reported to have slipped and fallen into the fast-moving river.

According to family members, Mr Kamol had earlier celebrated his birthday by making merit at the local temple. After the ceremony, he walked down to the stream behind the temple to catch fish, a common activity after heavy rain. However, as he walked along the muddy bank, he reportedly slipped and fell into the current.

Nearby residents and relatives attempted to rescue him but were unable to reach him in time. Emergency services were called and launched an immediate search operation despite continued rain.

Divers battled through poor visibility and strong currents for over two hours before locating his body trapped in an underwater bamboo thicket approximately 200 metres from where he had fallen. His remains were retrieved and transferred to Phayao Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police have confirmed the cause of death as accidental drowning. The body has since been released to the family to proceed with funeral rites according to Buddhist tradition.

Local authorities have urged the public to exercise caution near rivers and streams, particularly following heavy rainfall when water levels and flow can be dangerously unpredictable.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khomchadluek 2025-07-18