Pictures courtesy of TMN.

 

A 34-year-old Myanmar worker has drowned in a large pond behind a factory in Bang Lamung district after slipping into the water while watching friends swimming on his day off.

 

Police said they were alerted to the incident at around midday on 25 August and dispatched water rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation. Divers searched the pond, which covers about two rai and is more than four metres deep and recovered the body after about 25 minutes.

 

The victim was later identified as Mr Zin Min Ton, aged 34, a factory worker from Myanmar. His body showed no signs of assault or foul play.

 

According to his friend Mr Pyo, 31, also from Myanmar, the group had gone to the pond to cool off during the holiday. Mr Zin Min Ton, who could not swim well, slipped at the muddy edge and fell into the water. Witnesses said he struggled briefly before disappearing under the surface. Friends attempted to rescue him but were unable to locate him under the water and raised the alarm.

 

The body has been sent to a local Hospital for a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from TMN 2025-08-27

 

 

 

Sad to lose someone this way. One would think a person 34 years old has learned how to stay afloat or paddle in water to avoid drowning. 

10 hours ago, thesetat said:

Sad to lose someone this way. One would think a person 34 years old has learned how to stay afloat or paddle in water to avoid drowning. 

 

Broadly speaking swimming ability, worldwide, is governed by wealth and custom.

 

One of the peculiarities of Thailand is the high level of "water focus" but only a moderate level of swimming ability.......about 60% of the population say then can swim without assistance.

 

In Myanmar less than 40%

 

In Sweden approximately 95% of the population can do so.

 

In Ruanda less than 20%

 

"Despite being surrounded by the sea, most girls in Zanzibar, Tanzania, never learn how to swim because of their religious beliefs and the absence of culturally appropriate swimwear"

 

https://one.oecd.org/document/DELSA/ELSA/WD/SEM(2022)16/en/pdf