Pictures courtesy of Naewna

A Russian tourist has died after collapsing while climbing a pagoda at a monastic site in the centre of Phang Nga town, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation that ultimately confirmed his death at the scene. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, 2 January 2026 and involved emergency responders from provincial disaster prevention, municipal rescue teams and hospital medical staff. Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of death.

The incident was reported at approximately 3.30pm on 2 January 2026, when the Phang Nga Narenthorn Emergency Medical Centre requested support from the Phang Nga Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. According to Mr Amorntep Preekam, Acting Head of the Phang Nga Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, a foreign tourist had been found unconscious on the stairway leading up to a pagoda at a monastic retreat located on a hill within the municipal area. Due to the steep terrain, high-angle rope rescue equipment was required.

Emergency personnel from the provincial disaster prevention office, Phang Nga Municipality rescue teams and Phang Nga Hospital medical responders were dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, rescuers found that the tourist had already died. The deceased was later identified as Mr Sergei, aged 40, a Russian national.

Rescue teams faced considerable difficulty retrieving the body because the pagoda is situated on elevated ground, accessible only via a narrow and steep staircase. High-angle rope rescue equipment was used to carefully bring the body down from the site. The body was then transported to Phang Nga Hospital for a formal post-mortem examination in accordance with legal procedures.

Initial assessments by officials suggest that the tourist had been climbing the staircase leading to the hilltop pagoda when he collapsed. The stairway is described as both narrow and steep, and authorities believe the hot weather may have contributed to the incident. It is suspected that Mr Sergei lost consciousness due to the heat before dying, though this has not yet been confirmed.

Officials have stated that the exact cause of death remains under investigation by the relevant authorities. Medical and forensic examinations will be conducted to determine whether there were underlying health conditions or other contributing factors. No additional injuries or signs of foul play have been reported at this stage.

Naewna reported that local authorities have not released further details while the investigation continues. The case highlights the physical challenges posed by some religious and tourist sites, particularly during periods of high temperatures. Officials have advised visitors to exercise caution when climbing steep or elevated locations.

Key Takeaways

• A 40-year-old Russian tourist, identified as Mr Sergei, died after collapsing while climbing a pagoda in Phang Nga on 2 January 2026.

• Emergency responders confirmed the death at the scene and used high-angle rope rescue equipment to retrieve the body.

• The cause of death is under investigation, with initial assessments suggesting possible heat-related collapse.

Related Stories

Rescue-teams-recovers-body-after-fatal-cliff-fall

Students-aid-rescue-of-injured-French-tourist-on-Koh-Samui

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Naewna 2026-01-03

 

 

RIP.