Thai national park wildfire hero dies in motorcycle accident
A tragic incident unfolded in Chiang Mai over the weekend when a 62 year old volunteer firefighter lost his life after his motorcycle plunged off a hill road following a long day battling wildfires.
Manit Sawansu, a dedicated volunteer ranger with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), had been working tirelessly to combat the raging fires in Khun Khan National Park.
Manit was part of a 26-person team that had been fighting wildfires near Kong Khak Luang village in Samoeng Tai subdistrict.
The team worked from 1.30pm until about 8pm, on Sunday, April 27, desperately trying to control the flames that threatened the park’s natural beauty and wildlife. By the time they finished, they were exhausted, but Manit’s commitment to the cause kept him going.
Around 8.30pm, as Manit was returning home, disaster struck. Fellow firefighters found his body and motorcycle 2 metres down a slope off the road. The tragic discovery sent shockwaves through the firefighting team.
Thaweewat Daengmanee, chief of Khun Khan National Park, suggested that Manit’s age and the physical toll of the day’s intense firefighting efforts may have contributed to the accident.
“Exhaustion and his age likely played a role in this tragedy.”
Manit’s body was immediately taken to Samoeng Hospital for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death, although the heartbreaking nature of the incident strongly suggested fatigue played a significant factor, reported Bangkok Post.
“This is yet another loss. A person who gave his life to help save the country’s natural resources.”
Wildfires in northern Thailand, particularly in regions like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, have been a recurring problem, especially during the dry season. These fires often occur in national parks and forested areas, threatening wildlife and the environment. The hot, dry weather combined with human activities such as farming and forest clearing exacerbate the situation.
Volunteer firefighters, park rangers, and local authorities work tirelessly to control the blazes, often putting their lives at risk. Despite efforts, the region continues to struggle with wildfires, which have devastating impacts on biodiversity and air quality. The government has urged greater attention to fire prevention and forest management.
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