Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Rescue teams recovered the body of a 28-year-old online fishing influencer after more than two hours of underwater searches at Mabprachan Reservoir on the night of 14 January 2026. The victim, Mr Chaiyathana Butrpachee, was found submerged beneath the water after going missing while testing a newly purchased fibre boat. His death prompted scenes of grief at the reservoir, with his girlfriend visibly distraught as the body was brought ashore.

The incident came to light after members of the public spotted a fibre boat drifting unattended in the middle of the reservoir and a pickup truck parked for an unusually long time at the shoreline. Unable to locate the boat’s owner and fearing an emergency, they alerted the authorities. Subsequent checks identified the boat as belonging to Mr Chaiyathana, a young influencer known for fishing content, who had recently bought the vessel and taken it out for a trial run.

At 10.35pm on 14 January 2026, a team of rescue divers intensified search operations within the reservoir. After more than two hours, they located Mr Chaiyathana’s body underwater and transported it to the shore. A preliminary examination found no signs of assault or foul play and the scene was described as sombre as family members and close acquaintances gathered.

Ms Panadda Phromphisen, 28, the victim’s girlfriend, told reporters through tears that she had been unable to contact him prior to the incident. She said she knew he had arranged to buy a new boat and had tried to discourage him from doing so because he had previously suffered seizures, but he remained determined to proceed. She later learned that he had gone missing at the reservoir.

Mr Panyapong, 29, the boat’s previous owner and seller, said he had known the victim for only two days before the sale. He stated that they met in Pattaya and agreed on a purchase price of 4,000 baht. According to him, he came with the victim and the boat to Mabprachan Reservoir to test it, ensured that a life jacket was worn and then left the area before later seeing reports of the incident via a broadcast by officials.

Daily News reported that investigators from the local police station documented the scene and collected evidence as part of standard procedure. The body was transferred to Bang Lamung Hospital for preservation, pending arrangements by relatives for religious rites. Authorities indicated that further inquiries would follow routine processes, with no immediate suspicion of criminal involvement.

Key Takeaways

• A 28-year-old fishing influencer drowned after testing a newly bought boat at Mab Prachan Reservoir on 14 January 2026.

• Rescue divers searched for more than two hours before locating the body, with no signs of foul play found.

• Police have documented the scene and sent the body to Bang Lamung Hospital for further arrangements.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-15

 

 

Am I wrong to assume that would be a 'thumbs down' on the boat?

Lesson number one here is never trust a 4,000 baht boat more than 50 meters from shore, unless you are a very strong swimmer.