A Cambodian man who disappeared while diving off Koh Larn to retrieve fish traps for his family was found dead after a two-day search, with police saying he was using substandard scuba equipment that likely led to his drowning.

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The body of Seng Tyno, 37, a speedboat operator living on the island, was discovered floating about 500 metres from where he was last seen off Thian Beach on the southern tip of Koh Larn at around 09:30 on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.

Rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation had been searching for him since 15 June, carrying out operations both underwater and on the surface. Search efforts were complicated by strong currents.

His wife, Khwanta Krungra, 39, identified the body. Through tears, she told authorities that her husband had said he was going to dive for fish to feed the family and sell to local seafood restaurants. She last spoke to him at noon on 15 June before he disappeared.

When the body was recovered, investigators found Seng Tyno wearing a black scuba suit fitted with an air tank and a regulator hose. Police said he did not have a pressure gauge or an air supply meter, both considered standard safety equipment for scuba diving.

Authorities found the air tank completely empty. He was also carrying 10 lead weights with a combined weight of approximately 8 kilograms.

Pol. Capt. Chayaphon Yuurot, the investigating officer from Pattaya City Police’s Koh Larn unit, said preliminary findings indicated that the victim ran out of air while diving at a depth of 8-10 metres. Investigators believe he was then unable to return to the surface because of the weights and the absence of a buoyancy control device.

The case highlights the risks associated with diving without complete safety equipment, particularly when working alone. Police have continued to document the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of their investigation.

Khaosod reported that the body was sent for a full autopsy to confirm the cause of death before being released to the family for funeral rites.

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 18 June 2026

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Very sad. Died trying to feed and provide for his family with limited equipment. I’m gathering it worked well, until it didn’t. RIP

So, ran out of air.

But, how was the tank filled? Possibly not at a dive shop, under pressure and contaminated with CO, so toxic, loss of consciousness, and on to the next life.

We will never know for sure.

Sounds like someone trying to dive without really knowing how to dive.

Really sad, RIP.

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

carrying 10 lead weights with a combined weight of approximately 8 kilograms.

Even if he was able to release all the weights he might suffer crippling diving embolism leading to paralysis or death. He should have at least had a buddy standing nearby, whether in the boat or water.

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Even if he was able to release all the weights he might suffer crippling diving embolism leading to paralysis or death. He should have at least had a buddy standing nearby, whether in the boat or water.

The no-decompression time for a dive to a depth of up to 10 meters is 3 hours. A single tank will never last that long. So that wouldn’t have been an issue. It’s seems like he simply couldn’t ditch the weights.

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Even if he was able to release all the weights he might suffer crippling diving embolism leading to paralysis or death. He should have at least had a buddy standing nearby, whether in the boat or water.

He was reportedly diving to around 30 feet without a pressure gauge, something he may well have been doing routinely for many years. We also do not know whether he followed any formal ascent or decompression procedures when returning to the surface - very unlikely IMO.

A lot depends on the depth and duration of the dive. A short dive of only a few minutes is very different from spending a prolonged period at depth, where controlled ascent procedures become increasingly important.

More broadly, water safety remains a significant challenge in Thailand. Drowning continues to be one of the leading causes of death among children in Thailand - I can only Imagine Cambodia is similar, highlighting that there is still considerable scope for improved education and awareness around water safety.

Sadly, it is likely that many others carry out similar work in much the same way every day, and will continue to do so despite the lessons that can be drawn from tragedies such as this one.