Thai man in critical condition in Phuket hospital after electric shock causes him to fall from scaffold tower
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Phuket man is in critical condition in Thalang Hospital with serious head injuries after receiving an electric shock when trying to fix a street light and falling over four metres to the ground. The incident happened at around 1:30pm this afternoon (Feb 12) in Srisoonthorn.

Capt Nattaya Suphanpong from Thalang Police was called to investigate an incident where a man had sustained serious head injuries after falling from a scaffold tower when fixing a road light at Kan Hayha in Srisoonthorn.

It was reported that the man, 43-year-old Boonnate Boonsri, was not responding to any communication made with him.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/thai-man-in-critical-condition-in-phuket-hospital-after-electric-shock-causes-him-to-fall-from-scaffold-tower-56201.php


-- Phuket News 2016-02-12

Metal scaffold, no work platform, no safety rail, carrying out electrical work, probably wearing thongs, hit his head and not responding to communication.

One could reasonably argue he lacked communication response prior to the fall. If not, his actions were certainly suicidal.

So the repair man was working on a live street light at 1:30 in the afternoon. I'll bet the problem was that it wouldn't automatically switch off although the picture shows otherwise. I agree with your observations Reigntax but why call the police? better to call in the health and safety people...........Oooops. Forgot.

Probably switching the "Neutral" light would be off. short circuit in the ballast. the fitting (and probably the metal part of the pole) alive..... no ground / earth...

I have not seen a light yet in Thailand that is grounded,

It's not the one you know is alive that's gonna get you, it's the one you think is "dead", and usually caused by some idiot that didn't know what he was doing!!!

If it wasn't so tragic...it's hilarious.

Working on live equipment, no circuit breaker, metal scaffold, no safety equipment.

I guess there's now a situation vacant.

Very sad. Get well soon / RIP (delete were appropriate)

Gee no safety harness. I'm shocked and surprised.

I don't like saying this but it is indeed a shocking state of affairs when a man gets electrocuted trying to fix a street light I don't think this will go down well with his workmates .

Unfortunately this is an all too common problem here in Thailand, there have been way too many instances where people have been electrocuted repairing or installing signs, obviously there are no health & safety standards or if there are they are not enforced; this person was trying to make a living and was either under trained or unaware of the dangers with electricity, hope he makes a recovery.

A buddy of mine was relating how an "electrician" came to fix his electric shower, the dude was standing in ankle deep water in the shower jabbing a scewdriver into the components, eliciting a spark here and there. The Darwins don't have enough awards to go round.

Property prices are sky high. Construction costs and standards are bare minimum. Unskilled and unregistered workers. A safety budget is exhausted by the expense of a sign stating 'safety first'.

Oversupply in a condo market where maintenance is non existent. Innovative use of space is an alien concept. Resale market for a basic unit doesn't exist. 49% foreign owned developments subsidises 51% Thai owned. Unqualified realtors and shady lawyers.

A recipe for lethal disaster. As is so often the sad outcome, here and elsewhere, far too often.

Isn't it the local administration's duty to protect the tax paying public?

<snip>

Isn't it the local administration's duty to protect the tax paying public?

That made me laugh out loud ...

No, it's their function to extort as much money as possible before they are moved on to another position ...