Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A tragic accident in Pathum Thani, central Thailand, claimed the life of a 55-year-old man named Witthawat, after his Tesla Model 3 veered off the road and plunged into a canal. Despite rescue teams’ efforts to free him from the submerged car, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred around 7am on October 15, near Soi Rong Makham.

 

Witthawat's car sank nearly 10 metres beneath the surface of Khlong Sib. Rescue teams, assisted by a good Samaritan, attempted to smash the sunroof to reach him. While they heard faint knocking from inside the vehicle, their efforts were unsuccessful, and CPR attempts failed.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Saichon Odjai coordinated the emergency response with the help of Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers and divers. The crash site was located near kilometre marker 5+500, and the situation underscored challenges in conducting under-water rescues. The Tesla was later retrieved, displaying significant damage, including a crushed front bumper and shattered rear window.

 

Witnesses, such as local Adisak Mueanphothong and rescue worker Attapol Kagram, described the urgent atmosphere. “We received reports of a car in the canal and raced to the site,” Adisak noted. The car floated approximately 100 metres before sinking, leaving rescue teams to use force to access the vehicle.

 

The police are investigating the cause of the accident, as there is currently no confirmation on why the vehicle left the road. Witthawat’s body was sent to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Centre in Nakhon Nayok for an autopsy. The tragedy has raised concerns regarding vehicle safety and underwater rescue procedures.

 

Key Takeaways

• A man died after his Tesla plunged into a canal in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
• Rescue teams could not save him despite efforts to break the sunroof.
• The incident is under investigation, sparking safety concerns.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-15

 

 

Why does it matter that its a tesla and why does this make it seem like it was the cars fault? Was it a self driving car?

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A tragic accident in Pathum Thani, central Thailand, claimed the life of a 55-year-old man named Witthawat, after his Tesla Model 3 veered off the road and plunged into a canal. Despite rescue teams’ efforts to free him from the submerged car, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred around 7am on October 15, near Soi Rong Makham.

 

Witthawat's car sank nearly 10 metres beneath the surface of Khlong Sib. Rescue teams, assisted by a good Samaritan, attempted to smash the sunroof to reach him. While they heard faint knocking from inside the vehicle, their efforts were unsuccessful, and CPR attempts failed.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Saichon Odjai coordinated the emergency response with the help of Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers and divers. The crash site was located near kilometre marker 5+500, and the situation underscored challenges in conducting under-water rescues. The Tesla was later retrieved, displaying significant damage, including a crushed front bumper and shattered rear window.

 

Witnesses, such as local Adisak Mueanphothong and rescue worker Attapol Kagram, described the urgent atmosphere. “We received reports of a car in the canal and raced to the site,” Adisak noted. The car floated approximately 100 metres before sinking, leaving rescue teams to use force to access the vehicle.

 

The police are investigating the cause of the accident, as there is currently no confirmation on why the vehicle left the road. Witthawat’s body was sent to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Centre in Nakhon Nayok for an autopsy. The tragedy has raised concerns regarding vehicle safety and underwater rescue procedures.

 

Key Takeaways

• A man died after his Tesla plunged into a canal in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
• Rescue teams could not save him despite efforts to break the sunroof.
• The incident is under investigation, sparking safety concerns.

 

Related Stories:

Elon Musk Pivots to UK Electricity as Tesla Auto Sales Slide

Elon Musk to Scale Back Role in DOGE Amid Tesla Backlash

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-15

 

 

Well, 10m under surface? No way to open the doors unless you wait untill the air went out. Then it's simple. 

I admit in such a situation to keep cool is the problem

Tragic accident but as always they never blame the driver for driving to too fast. It's always  "the driver lost control " .. yeah well if you drive too fast, then you could lose control. 

But poor Mr Wittahavat, may he rest in peace.

2 hours ago, angryguy said:

Why does it matter that its a tesla and why does this make it seem like it was the cars fault? Was it a self driving car?

I don't think they said it was the cars fault.. or at least I didn't read that into it?

As for a Tesla they just stated the make/brand of car...

2 hours ago, angryguy said:

Why does it matter that its a tesla and why does this make it seem like it was the cars fault? Was it a self driving car?

It mat not be the brand that is important, but it may be something to do with the fact that it was an EV. ICE driven cars seem to have mechnaical locks, but I have read elsewhere that EVs seem to have some form of electronic lock that can be difficult to open in an emergency. I have observed that the look of the door handles of EVs from the outside is somehow different.

But it would be good to know if it was self driving.

2 hours ago, angryguy said:

Why does it matter that its a tesla and why does this make it seem like it was the cars fault? Was it a self driving car?

A Tesla driver.......................

8 minutes ago, Dr B said:

It mat not be the brand that is important, but it may be something to do with the fact that it was an EV. ICE driven cars seem to have mechnaical locks, but I have read elsewhere that EVs seem to have some form of electronic lock that can be difficult to open in an emergency. I have observed that the look of the door handles of EVs from the outside is somehow different.

 

That's a recurring theme.  The door handles need to be popped out on a lot of EVs in order to work them and that can't happen if there's no E in the EV.  If the power's dead, the handles are flush with the doors.

 

There have been many stories of people burning up because nobody could open the door to help them exit their burning vehicle.  But in reality, that's not much different than a locked door on an ICE.

 

 

 

Tesla should consider Eject button for driver and passengers while submerged as a result of accident like this.

 

After all, the jet plane pilots have this option in case of emergency to eject themselves at a push of button.

The trick is to open the windows, if the car is being submerged, to let water flow into the car, so you can open the doors. But that's not possible without electricity in most modern cars (ICE and EV). Make sure to keep a small hammer with you in the car, so that you will be able to break the windows in case of emergency.

3 hours ago, Dr B said:

It mat not be the brand that is important, but it may be something to do with the fact that it was an EV. ICE driven cars seem to have mechnaical locks, but I have read elsewhere that EVs seem to have some form of electronic lock that can be difficult to open in an emergency. I have observed that the look of the door handles of EVs from the outside is somehow different.

     Same type of accident with a Tesla happened in the US.  Super rich lady--I think she and her husband were friends with Musk--accidently drove her Tesla into a pond on her property.   She could not open the doors to get out.  While the car was sinking she had time to phone for help but it was too late by the time help arrived.  

Should we up our car insurance with the EV and self driving cars ?

Bigger risks.

6 hours ago, impulse said:

 

That's a recurring theme.  The door handles need to be popped out on a lot of EVs in order to work them and that can't happen if there's no E in the EV.  If the power's dead, the handles are flush with the doors.

 

There have been many stories of people burning up because nobody could open the door to help them exit their burning vehicle.  But in reality, that's not much different than a locked door on an ICE

If you're INSIDE the car, isn't it a mechanical override as in an ICE vehicle?  IE in my ICE, even if the electrics were completely dead, I could open the doors from inside the car even if they were locked, but not the windows which rely totally on electricity.

If nolt, it would seem to contradict every possible safety rule!

23 minutes ago, VBF said:

If you're INSIDE the car, isn't it a mechanical override as in an ICE vehicle?  IE in my ICE, even if the electrics were completely dead, I could open the doors from inside the car even if they were locked, but not the windows which rely totally on electricity.

If nolt, it would seem to contradict every possible safety rule!

 

Good point.  But it appears to depend on the make and model.  Google BMW deadlock for more info than I can type.

 

The OP mentioned people trying to get in from outside of the car, and that's what I was referring to. 

 

In years past, I had a couple of cars that had those mushroom looking door locks that you could replace with a pencil shaped one that couldn't be opened with a coat hanger.  They were also hard to open if the electric door locks failed.

 

29 minutes ago, impulse said:

<snip>

In years past, I had a couple of cars that had those mushroom looking door locks that you could replace with a pencil shaped one that couldn't be opened with a coat hanger.  They were also hard to open if the electric door locks failed.

 

I know the ones you mean, and, certainly from the outside, you're right.  The "mushroom looking" ones were terrible unless you locked your keys in the car - then they were great!

 

But, if the door was locked, and you're INSIDE the vehicle, wouldn't pulling on the door handle simply override them?

 

 

journalists now too lazy to write their own copy, obviously AI produced.

The mythustbusters have this covered   if you can't roll down the windows or smash them   then wait till the car is almost filled with water and open the door...but probably with the EV 's you'll have to

use an app to open the doors..so window smashing hammer is 

essential in all cases. 

10 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I don't think they said it was the cars fault.. or at least I didn't read that into it?

As for a Tesla they just stated the make/brand of car...

I was expecting it to say that there was some fault with the car but nothing to suggest the car was at fault.

2 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

nothing to suggest the car was at fault.

 

Perhaps the car did not have a manually operated handle to roll down the windows or open the doors ?   

Much easier and convenient with an app on the phone !

9 hours ago, Xonax said:

Make sure to keep a small hammer with you in the car, so that you will be able to break the windows in case of emergency.

 

Since your post hardware house has a run on small hammers, mostly by AN members

On 10/16/2025 at 1:01 AM, angryguy said:

Why does it matter that its a tesla and why does this make it seem like it was the cars fault? Was it a self driving car?

Been lots of accidents with Teslas. A local lady in Nice France had a terrifying experience with her car gathering speed and no way to stop it. She managed to contact the police , can’t remember the outcome except that they eventually managed to stop the car. 

20 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

Since your post hardware house has a run on small hammers, mostly by AN members

My VW had one , came with the car.