Woman, 62, Dies in Septic Pit in Sa Kaeo

A 62-year-old woman has died after descending into an abandoned septic pit to rescue her pet dog in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, on 26 April 2026. The victim, identified as Suphanee Prasertsri, is believed to have lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen inside the confined space. Her dog remained in the pit, floating close to her body when rescuers arrived.

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Rescue workers from Aranyaprathet Foundation were alerted at 17:45 after relatives reported a fatality in a disused septic pit near Ban Kilo 2 School in Aranyaprathet subdistrict. At the scene there was a damaged wooden cover over the pit. Upon inspection, officials found the woman’s body submerged head-first, while a female dog named Dam, aged around five to six months, was nearby the body.

A rope was discovered at the pit’s opening, leading authorities to believe the woman had attempted to lower herself into the pit to save the dog after it fell in. Investigators found no signs of assault. Police Lieutenant Apinya Ngamwongsa, deputy investigator at Aranyaprathet Police Station, stated that the cause of death was asphyxiation in an oxygen-deficient environment, possibly compounded by toxic gas accumulation.

Pictures courtesy of Kaoded

The victim’s son said the dog had fallen into the pit earlier that day. His mother is believed to have tried to rescue it using a rope but was unable to climb back out. He became concerned after being unable to reach her by phone and returned home to investigate. On arrival, he noticed irregularities at the pit and discovered his mother’s body inside, with the dog still staying close by.

Kaoded reported that authorities documented the scene and recovered the body for further examination at Aranyaprathet Hospital before releasing it to the family for religious rites. The incident highlights the dangers of confined spaces such as septic pits, which can contain hazardous gases and low oxygen levels.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Kaoded 28 Apr 2026

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