Picture courtesy of Workpoint

An 18-year-old man died after being electrocuted while holding a phone charger, his mobile phone and a bowl of noodles as he walked up the stairs of his home in Buriram province on 16 January 2026. The incident occurred at a raised wooden house in Ban Mai Charoen Suk, Tum Yai subdistrict, Khu Mueang district, and left family members and neighbours unable to save him despite immediate efforts.

Police said the victim, later identified as Mr Suphat, also known as Hai, aged 18, was rushed to Khu Mueang Hospital after the incident but was pronounced dead on arrival. Officers from Hin Lek Fai police station were alerted to the case after reports of a person being electrocuted at the property. An initial examination found no signs of assault and the death was attributed to electrocution.

According to police, the house where the incident occurred was fitted with old electrical wiring and power sockets in poor condition. The fuse box was an outdated model and did not have any working automatic circuit breaker or residual current device. These factors are believed to have increased the risk of a fatal electric shock.

The victim’s aunt, Ms Wilai, 55, told investigators that her nephew had been using his phone under the house before cooking instant noodles while continuing to watch his screen. After finishing the noodles, he reportedly carried the plugged-in charger on an extension cable, his phone and the bowl of noodles up the stairs to eat inside the house. While halfway up the stairs, he cried out in pain and became stuck, unable to release the charger.

Ms Wilai said she panicked and used a piece of wood to knock the device from his hand to stop the electric current. Neighbours were called to help remove him from the stairs and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Emergency responders were then contacted and transported him to hospital, but he died on the way before hospital treatment could be given.

Police said the body was examined at the hospital and relatives did not raise any concerns about suspicious circumstances. Officers noted that the case highlights the dangers of using damaged or outdated electrical systems, particularly when appliances are handled in unsafe conditions.

Workpoint reported that authorities said no further action is planned, but local officials advised residents in the area to check and upgrade old wiring and fuse systems to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.

Key Takeaways

• An 18-year-old man died from electrocution while carrying a plugged-in phone charger up stairs in Buriram on 16 January 2026.

• Police found the house had old wiring and no automatic electrical cut-off system.

• Family and neighbours attempted to help, but the victim died before reaching hospital.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Workpointnews 2026-01-17

 

 

I don't know who can be hold responsible for this...The house looks not properly built, the electricity Is outdated., there is lack to improve things in and around houses in general, everybody seems to be addicted to their phones, as it is the utmost important thing in their life...I don't understand

How to prevent this from happening 100%, would modern breakers with RCD type switches prevent these issues completely?

No registered electrician would have this probably home electrician rip young man and their phones are so important to them

On 1/17/2026 at 3:25 PM, ozz1 said:

No registered electrician would have this probably home electrician rip young man and their phones are so important to them

My wife was perfect for the first 20 years of marriage. I bought her a phone and now our relaltionship is all but over. She is totally addicted when I mention that to her all hell breaks loose. I understand teenagers getting addicted but my wife is a grand mother.

Poor boy, may he rest in peace.

Unfortunately people has no respect for electricity and are quite careless when it comes to safety.

On 1/17/2026 at 2:56 PM, ukrules said:

How to prevent this from happening 100%, would modern breakers with RCD type switches prevent these issues completely?

Probably not as a house like this already has sub-standard wiring and lacks any proper grounding.