Submerged Car Reveals Remains of Man Missing for 2 Years

Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

A submerged car discovered in a canal beside Somdet Hospital 19 in Tha Muang has led to the identification of human remains believed to belong to a man missing for more than two years. The discovery has prompted a police investigation into the cause of death and how the vehicle ended up in the canal. The finding has brought renewed attention to a long-standing missing person case in Kanchanaburi province.

The car was found at around 8.30am on 12 January 2026 after volunteers from the Khun Rattanawut Foundation were alerted by the foundation’s radio coordination centre. The vehicle was located in a canal running alongside Somdet Hospital 19 in Moo 3, Tha Muang subdistrict, Tha Muang district. Water levels were low enough for the car to be visible from the surface.

Volunteers arriving at the scene found a Toyota Vios with registration number กจ 147 ฉะเชิงเทรา fully submerged in the canal. Police from the local station were called to examine the scene. Inside the car, officers discovered several bones that could not immediately be identified but were believed to be human remains.

Authorities assessed that the remains had been in the vehicle for a long period, estimated from several months to possibly years. This assessment supported suspicions that the case was linked to an unresolved disappearance. The area was secured to allow for further forensic examination.

Relatives of the car’s owner later came forward and presented photographs showing the vehicle in its original condition. They confirmed that the car had been reported missing and that a search had been ongoing for more than two years. The family’s information helped police confirm the identity connected to the vehicle.

Police have since reported that they believe the deceased is Mr Phatthanasak Kanjanachokchai, aged 61. He was a resident of Phra Thaen subdistrict, Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi province. His disappearance had remained unexplained until the discovery of the vehicle.

SiamRath reported that investigators are now examining how the car ended up in the canal and the circumstances surrounding Mr Phatthanasak’s death. Police have stated that the cause of the incident and the manner of death remain under detailed investigation. Further forensic analysis is ongoing to confirm the identity of the remains and establish a clear timeline.

Key Takeaways

• A submerged Toyota Vios was found in a canal beside Somdet Hospital 19 on 12 January 2026.

• Human remains discovered in the car are believed to be those of a man missing for over two years.

• Police are investigating the cause of death and how the vehicle entered the canal.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siamrath 2026-01-12