Boat crash in Bang Khonthi claims life of pier owner’s son

Strong waves caused a boat crash in Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, leading to the tragic death of a 34 year old man who was the son of a famous pier owner in Damnoen Saduak. The incident occurred yesterday, July 31, at a riverside pavilion, shocking his father, who fainted upon hearing the news.

At 5pm yesterday, Chaiyachet Duangrat, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Bang Khonthi Police Station in Samut Songkhram, received a report of a boat crash at a riverside pavilion in front of a house along Bang Noi Canal, Moo 3, Yai Paeng Subdistrict, Bang Khonthi District. Police, including rescue workers from the Samut Songkhram Sanprarachen Foundation, quickly responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, officials found the pavilion in front of the house collapsed into the canal. Nearby, a 4-wa-long traditional Thai boat named Pornwarin 7, used for tourist transportation from Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, was parked. The boat was driven by 34 year old Songkrod, the son of a well-known pier owner.

He was trapped under the pavilion, submerged in water, causing immense grief to his father, who fainted. Relatives and friends anxiously waited, hoping for a miracle. Two divers swiftly retrieved Songkrod’s body within 10 minutes, but unfortunately, he was already deceased.

A tourist boat driver recounted that he was transporting tourists to the Amphawa Floating Market when he saw Songkrod boating for leisure. Songkrod then turned his boat around and followed.

As they reached the incident site, Songkrod accelerated and tried to overtake the tourist boat. At a bend, combined with strong water currents, Songkrod’s boat lost control, causing the rear to swing and crash into the riverside pavilion. The tourist boat driver quickly docked his boat and jumped into the water to help, but the currents were too strong, reported KhaoSod.

Initial investigations revealed that the deceased had driven his boat from Damnoen Saduak Pier into Bang Noi Canal at high speed. Upon reaching the scene, he attempted to overtake another boat but lost control due to the strong waves, causing the rear of his boat to crash into the riverside pavilion, which ultimately led to him being trapped underwater and losing his life. The police will conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause of the incident.