Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

A man was found dead after drowning in a reservoir in Pattaya, Chonburi province, on the afternoon of 25 January 2026, in an incident witnessed by local residents. Rescue teams were dispatched urgently after reports that a man had struggled in the water before disappearing from sight. His body was later recovered from the bottom of the reservoir and police initially believe the death was a suicide.

The incident was reported at 3.20pm, when the radio centre of the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation in Pattaya received a call from residents. Witnesses said a man had drowned in front of them at Chak Nok Reservoir, prompting an immediate response from rescue divers and a rescue boat. The teams arrived quickly to search the area.

At the scene, officers met Mr Yingyos Pakmuang, aged 36, who witnessed the incident and provided a statement. He told police that he heard a man shouting loudly and went to investigate the noise. He then saw the man in the water, about five to ten metres from the shore, struggling and calling for help before sinking and disappearing.

A search of the reservoir bank uncovered 260 baht in cash and a pair of shoes believed to belong to the deceased. Local residents also told police that before the incident, the man had been sitting alone by the reservoir. They described him as appearing tense and deeply preoccupied, as if troubled by personal matters.

Rescue divers entered the water and located the man’s body after a short search. He was found lying on the bottom of the reservoir, which is several metres deep. The body was brought to the surface for examination and no signs of physical assault were found.

The deceased was described as a Thai man aged approximately 30 to 35 years. He was well dressed, wearing a white cream-coloured jacket, navy blue track trousers and socks. No identification documents were found on him at the scene.

Police documented the scene and recorded photographic evidence. The body was then transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death. Initial police assessments suggest the death was a suicide, although formal confirmation will depend on forensic results.

Investigators are expected to continue efforts to identify the man and notify his relatives. Further details will be released once the forensic examination is complete and additional inquiries have been concluded.

Key Takeaways

• A Thai man aged about 30–35 drowned in Chak Nok Reservoir, Pattaya, on 25 January 2026.

• Witnesses reported hearing cries for help before the man disappeared beneath the water.

• Police suspect suicide and have sent the body for forensic examination to confirm the cause of death.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from SiamChon 2026-01-26

 

 

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

At the scene, officers met Mr Yingyos Pakmuang, aged 36, who witnessed the incident and provided a statement. He told police that he heard a man shouting loudly and went to investigate the noise. He then saw the man in the water, about five to ten metres from the shore, struggling and calling for help before sinking and disappearing.

"Struggling and calling for help" Very strange that "Initial police assessments suggest the death was a suicide,"

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

At the scene, officers met Mr Yingyos Pakmuang, aged 36, who witnessed the incident and provided a statement. He told police that he heard a man shouting loudly and went to investigate the noise. He then saw the man in the water, about five to ten metres from the shore, struggling and calling for help before sinking and disappearing.

5-10 meters from shore... There's a boat there !! No attempt to help the man ?

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

They described him as appearing tense and deeply preoccupied, as if troubled by personal matters.

Really - they [the locals who observed him] are psychologists now ??...

.. and the BiB believe them which leads them to suspect suicide and state that for the media...

Policing really here is so lazy sometimes - as is the simplicity which which people draw convenient and ill-educated conclusions.

On 1/26/2026 at 4:01 PM, LennyW said:

"Struggling and calling for help" Very strange that "Initial police assessments suggest the death was a suicide,"

Yeap. Maybe Police think he changed his mind.