Accident Man Drowns While Fishing – Locals Blame Local Spirit

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 57-year-old man drowned after becoming trapped in an underwater drainage pipe while foraging for shellfish and fishing near a revered local shrine, sparking talk of a supernatural curse among villagers.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthapong Wongwang, an investigator at Tha Hin Police Station in Lopburi province, received a report at 15:45 on 20 July regarding a man missing in waters near the revered Chao Pho Jui shrine in Moo 10, Bang Khan Mak Subdistrict.

 

Rescue teams from the Por Teck Tung Foundation arrived at the scene, a weir adjacent to the shrine and immediately deployed divers. The search was made difficult by the strong water currents and the depth of the pipe, approximately 5 metres. For 15 minutes, divers searched in vain while distraught relatives sobbed nearby.

 

In a poignant turn, the victim’s family lit incense sticks and offered a traditional apology to Chao Pho Jui, a highly respected guardian spirit in the area. Remarkably, during the second dive shortly after the ritual, divers discovered the body of Mr. Nawee, a native of Saraburi province, wedged inside the underwater pipe. His body was retrieved and examined by medical staff at the scene.

 

According to 19-year-old Sekson, the victim’s nephew, the family had travelled from Na Phra Lan early that morning to fish and collect shellfish. After dispersing to different parts of the area, the family later realised Mr. Nawee was missing. His floating plastic tub was found near the pipe’s entrance, prompting an urgent search and the involvement of local authorities.

 

Residents of the area emphasised the community’s deep spiritual reverence for Chao Pho Jui. Each year, locals conduct religious ceremonies and make offerings to thank the deity for protecting their rice fields and harvests. Many believe the incident may have been a result of neglecting to pay respects to the spirit before entering the waters, a tradition taken seriously by long-time residents.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-22