Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities

Tragedy struck a family during the joyous period of Songkran, as a 22 year old army private who was returning home for the festivities drowned in a reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The incident occurred yesterday at approximately 3.50pm, when Anuchit, visiting his girlfriend’s family, decided to cool off from the heat by swimming across the Huay Yang reservoir in Pak Thong Chai district.

Originally from Ban Rai in Theph Sathit district, Chaiyaphum province, the young army private was enjoying his time at the water’s edge with his girlfriend and her family. The jovial atmosphere turned sombre when he, complaining of the heat, plunged into the water to swim across the roughly 400-metre-wide reservoir.

Unfortunately, while attempting to return, Anuchit showed signs of exhaustion and after briefly surfacing, he disappeared beneath the waters.

Upon receiving the distress call, authorities from Pak Thong Chai police station coordinated with the local diving team, Hook 31 rescue unit, to launch an urgent search and rescue operation. The team, alongside Anuchit’s distraught girlfriend and friends, who were in shock over the sudden turn of events, scoured the waters for hours.

It was not until 7.40pm that the divers discovered Anuchit’s body submerged in the reservoir, reported KhaoSod.

The medical examiners were called to the scene to conduct a post-mortem examination. The body was then released to the family for religious rites.

In related news, a local fishing enthusiast tragically lost his life in Sa Kaeo Province. His body was found entangled in a fishing net in a large pond.

In other news, Pattaya Rescue Radio Centre received a report of a foreign tourist drowning at Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri on March 2 at 4.20pm. Emergency services rushed to the scene with urgency, locating an unconscious tourist, aged between 50 and 60, who had been brought ashore.

Pattaya Beach lifeguards and rescue teams swiftly administered vital first aid before transporting the stricken tourist to Pattaya City Hospital for immediate medical attention.