Three Schoolchildren Drown in Udon Thani River

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Three 13-year-old schoolchildren drowned while two others survived after a group of five friends went swimming in the Songkhram River on 13 September. The incident happened near a bridge between Ban Muang, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province and Ban Huai Sai, Huai Lua subdistrict, Ban Muang district, Sakon Nakhon province. Rescue teams later recovered the bodies after hours of searching, while relatives mourned at the riverbank.

Police at Dong Yen station received the emergency call and immediately coordinated with divers from the Srisuttho Rescue Association, VR Ban Dung Rescue and Sawang Methatham Udon Thani. Initial reports confirmed that three children had drowned while two managed to escape the water. The victims were identified as Ern, Organ and Dear, all aged 13 and students at Ban Wang Thong School.

Survivors told officers that they had set out together on two motorcycles to deliver money to a grandmother in Ban Huai Sai before planning to eat som tam. On arrival at the bridge, one of the victims encouraged the group to play in the water despite knowing warnings about the strong current. As Ern entered the river, he was swept away, followed by Organ and Dear, who with the others, tried to rescue him but were also dragged under.

One survivor ran to call for help from a fisherman, who said he could not swim, before alerting a nearby cattle herder who then notified relatives and officials. Relatives gathered at the riverbank, hoping the children might be found alive and performed traditional rituals, including lighting incense to ask local spirits for help. After a search lasting until the afternoon, divers recovered all three bodies from the river.

Family members expressed deep grief, noting that one of the children, Ern, was due to celebrate a birthday soon and had planned to make merit at the temple with friends. The community described the three as close classmates and close friends. Some villagers claimed the Songkhram River takes lives every year.

Key Takeaways

• Three 13-year-old students drowned while swimming in the Songkhram River on 13 September.

• Rescue divers recovered the bodies after hours of searching as relatives waited at the riverbank.

• Villagers said the river is believed to claim lives annually and may hold a ritual of appeasement.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-09-15