Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A six-year-old girl has drowned after secretly going to play in a lake with two friends in Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

The incident occurred on the afternoon of 24 August, at a lake in Ban Nong Khai Nam, Mueang district. Rescue officers from Hook 31 Water Rescue Unit were called after reports that a child had gone missing in the water.

 

According to accounts from a young boy who witnessed the incident, three children, two boys and the girl, had gone to the lake to play. While in the water, the girl slipped into a deep section, around four metres deep. The boys attempted to rescue her but were unable to do so.

 

Rescue divers quickly entered the water and located the girl’s body within ten minutes. Her mother, who had rushed to the scene, broke down in tears when her daughter’s body was recovered.

 

Mr. Pisit Phongsirisuphakul, director of Hook 31 Rescue Foundation, explained that the pond had been formed by soil excavation, leaving it deep in places, with uneven levels. During the dry season, the water level dropped, exposing a strip of soil that tempted children to walk into the lake.

 

He added that there were no safety measures in place around the lake, no flotation devices and no nearby residents to provide assistance when the incident happened.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-08-25

 

 

 

IMHO there are far too many of these deep ponds/lakes caused by the land owners excavating & selling the soil. There should be laws passed making it mandatory to determine & implement a minimum level of safety & accident prevention measures, such as a fence to restrict access and strategically placed lifebuoys, the number of which being determined by the size of the pond/lake. There should also be accountability for non-compliant land owners.

 

11 minutes ago, Mutt Daeng said:

IMHO there are far too many of these deep ponds/lakes caused by the land owners excavating & selling the soil. There should be laws passed making it mandatory to determine & implement a minimum level of safety & accident prevention measures, such as a fence to restrict access and strategically placed lifebuoys, the number of which being determined by the size of the pond/lake. There should also be accountability for non-compliant land owners.

 

Nice idea - but highly unlikely to be implemented, adhered to or utilised, whether private or public land.

 

Initial responsibility for a child's safety and situational awareness rests with their parents / guardians.

 

But, as most people seem to be completely zoned out due to zoned in screentime these days:-

 

Instead of having to constantly read about these harrowing tragedies, involving Thai people of all ages - how about educational campaigns teaching situational awareness to Thai people of all ages, utilising schools, tv and social media, aswell as mandatory swimming lessons for all school children ?

 

We live in hope.

This demonstrates why it is so important to teach young kids to swim. Even a basic breast stroke or doggy paddle might have saved this girl's life. Unfortunately, due to poverty or lack of facilities, many don't get the opportunity.