Thai man dies after ant bite while trimming trees in Samut Prakan
Routine day’s work turned deadly within minutes of a sting
A Thai man tragically died after being bitten by ants while trimming trees at a plantation in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok, yesterday, October 8.
Officers from Khlong Dan Police Station were alerted to the death of the 39 year old man, Ekkaphan Thianphanthong, at around 4pm, so they visited the incident scene, a plantation near Soi Sawang Arom Temple in the Khlong Dan sub-district of Bang Bo district, Samut Prakan.
Ekkaphan was found in the plantation, about 200 metres from the main road. He was discovered lying on his back with clenched fists and stiffened limbs. No visible serious injuries were found on his body, except for several ant bite marks.
His employer, 61 year old Pirom Jayakan, told police that Ekkaphan had worked with him for over ten years and that he loved him like his own son.
On the day of the incident, Pirom said he instructed Ekkaphan and another employee, 52 year old Phichit Phurahong, to trim trees along his fish pond to prevent branches from tangling with electrical wires.
Ekkaphan climbed up to saw off branches but soon cried out in pain, saying he was bitten by ants. As he began climbing down, he suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Pirom and Phichit rushed to assist him, giving him an inhaler and wiping his face with cold water, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. Ekkaphan reportedly convulsed and lost consciousness, prompting Pirom to call rescuers. Sadly, the rescue team was unable to save his life.
Phichit later revealed that he had also been stung twice by the ants and showed his bite marks as evidence, though he did not suffer the severe reaction that Ekkaphan experienced.
Ekkaphan’s mother, 56 year old Saipin Panthap, said she held no suspicions about her son’s death and did not blame his employer, believing he had genuinely cared for her son after many years of working together.
Police examined the scene and interviewed witnesses before transporting Ekkaphan’s body to the Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute for a detailed autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. It is believed that he may have suffered a fatal allergic reaction to the ants’ venom.
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