Thai government official’s GPS gamble ends in tragic spillway plunge in East Thailand

A government official tragically lost his life when the car he was driving plunged into a water spillway following directions from his GPS. The incident occurred around 7am this morning, in the vicinity of Ban Ko Rang, Nong Waeng district, Sa Kaeo province.

The vehicle, a bronze Toyota with registration number TH-824, was found overturned in the water spillway. Residents and the Sa Kaeo Rescue Unit tried to pull the car out of the water but found nobody initially. It was only after an extensive search that the body of 47 year old Khomsan Suranattakul was discovered in the water spillway. Khomsan held the position of district registrar at Sanam Chai Khet district, Chachoengsao province.

Another passenger, Krikchai Phothithong, also a district registrar from Sanam Chai Khet, Chachoengsao province, managed to escape from the sinking vehicle. Krikchai recounted that he and Khomsan had travelled to the area to inspect a property for official registration.

In the evening, Khomsan decided to visit Wat Phuang Nimitt and used his GPS for directions, which led them to the water spillway. Khomsan was driving when the car lost control and fell into the water.

Despite attempts to break the car windows and escape, Krikchai could only free himself just as the vehicle sank. Khomsan’s body was found later with multiple injuries, including a torn wound on his right cheek, a left ear injury, and two wounds on his right arm.

The exact cause of these injuries is still unknown and the body was sent for autopsy to determine the actual cause of death, reported KhaoSod.

In related news, a retired football coach tragically lost his life in an accident during an exercise routine in Nakhon Pathom. The incident occurred when he suddenly felt dizzy and fell into a municipal water storage pond. Read more about this story HERE.

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