Thai woman electrocuted on flooded road in Surat Thani

Officials under pressure as storm season threatens more casualties

A Thai woman died from electrocution while walking along a flooded road in the southern province of Surat Thani on Tuesday, May 6. A rescue team rushed to the Bypass Road near Bang Yai Intersection in Mueang Surat Thani district after receiving a report of a fatal electrocution at around 4.50pm.

The victim, 26 year old Mantana “Mint” Phewpong, who was travelling home after work, was electrocuted at the scene.

Mint was found lying face down on the flooded road, with her motorcycle overturned nearby. For safety reasons, rescuers used a rope to wrap around parts of her body and carefully pull her away from the source of the electric shock.

The operation took over 30 minutes because the rescuers did not know the exact source of the leak. The electrocution was believed to have been caused by a street light.

Mint was reportedly riding her motorcycle home when the floodwaters caused the engine to stall. She dismounted and pushed the motorcycle along the road, where she was electrocuted.

Electrocution in flood
Photo via Facebook/ นันท์นภัส หอมหวล

The rescue team administered CPR and transported her to Surat Thani Hospital. Sadly, Mint passed away yesterday morning, May 8, at around 7.30am.

The incident raised serious concerns about the safety of motorists and pedestrians, prompting public calls for action from local authorities to prevent similar occurrences in future.

Thai woman electrocuted on flooded road in Surat Thani | News by Thaiger
Photo via Facebook/ น้องนิล เด็กอนุบาลแว๊นแว๊นซ์

The Provincial Governor, Teerut Suppawiboonphon, attended Mint’s funeral at Thammabucha Temple yesterday and spoke to the media regarding the local government’s response.

Teerut stated that the issue required cooperation between several departments, and a meeting would be held to discuss the responsibilities and actions required of each.

Thai woman lost life in electrocution on Surat Thani road
Photo via Facebook/ Tassaneeyapon Doungkaew

He emphasised the need for an immediate short-term solution, as further rainfall and flooding were forecast. For a long-term solution, the province would seek funding for canal dredging to allow for faster drainage and to reduce the risk of future road flooding.

Flood in Surat Thani
Photo via ThaiRath

A similar incident occurred in December last year in the southern province of Songkhla, where a university lecturer was electrocuted while attempting to close a metal gate during a flood in Hat Yai District. The gate was reportedly in contact with an exposed copper wire, resulting in a fatal accident.

South Thailand NewsThailand News

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Petch Petpailin

Petpailin, or Petch, is a Thai translator and writer for The Thaiger who focuses on translating breakingThai news stories into English. With a background in field journalism, Petch brings several years of experience to the English News desk at The Thaiger. Before joining The Thaiger, Petch worked as a content writer for several known blogging sites in Bangkok, including Happio and The Smart Local. Her articles have been syndicated by many big publishers in Thailand and internationally, including the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Bangkok Post. She is a news writer who stops reading news on the weekends to spend more time cafe hopping and petting dwarf shrimp! But during office hours, you can find Petch on LinkedIn and you can reach her by email at petch@thethaiger.com.

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