17 year old Thai motorcyclist electrocuted on flooded road
Reckless wiring by road construction company blamed for fatal accident
A Thai mother is taking legal action against a construction company after her 17 year old son was fatally electrocuted on a flooded road in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok yesterday, September 8.
Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station and a rescue team were called to the scene on Phraekasa Road at about 1am. Sadly, the victim, 17 year old Thanakorn, had already died before officials arrived. His body was found submerged in floodwater, with his overturned motorcycle lying nearby.
Witnesses told police that Thanakorn was pushing his motorcycle along the flooded road when a pickup sped past, creating a wave that knocked both him and his motorbike.
In an attempt to steady himself on the flooded road, Thanakorn placed his hand on a concrete barrier. Unbeknownst to him, the barrier was in contact with a live electrical wire, causing him to be fatally electrocuted. Witnesses admitted they were too afraid to intervene, fearing they too might be electrocuted.
Police coordinated with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to cut power in the area, allowing rescuers to retrieve Thanakorn’s body and transfer it to the hospital for an autopsy.
Channel 7 reported that the electrocution was the result of negligence by a construction company working on road renovations in the area.
Workers had allegedly connected a power cable, socket and lights directly to an electricity pole on the traffic island without permission and safety precautions. The wires and lights were installed recklessly along more than one kilometre of roadway.
Thanakorn’s mother told Channel 7 that although her family struggled financially, her son had been hardworking and contributed to household expenses. She said she could never have imagined his life would be cut short by the careless actions of the construction company.
She lodged a formal complaint against the firm and vowed to pursue the case to the fullest to obtain justice for her son. Police said they intend to summon the company’s employees for questioning soon.
Those found responsible may face charges under Section 291 of the Criminal Law: committing a reckless act resulting in the death of another person. The offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both. The company may also be required to pay compensation to Thanakorn’s family.
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