Two oarsmen drown in race practise on the Mekong River

Two oarsmen tragically drowned on Friday while practising for the Thailand-Laos-Vietnam Long Boat Race last weekend. Their bodies were found yesterday washed ashore on a Mekong River bank in the Isaan province of Bueng Kan.

More than ten boat racers were practising on the Mekong River on Friday morning in preparation for the race from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11.

Witnessed to the practice session informed the media that strong winds and high waves made one of the boats capsize. The boat overturned in the middle of the Mekong River, about ten metres from the bank.

All the racers managed to scramble to the bank, apart from 18-year-old Piyawat, who got a cramp and disappeared beneath the waves. Another racer, 33 year old Wannapichit, saw his friend go under and tried to help but he also drowned in the process.

Rescuers from Sawang Metha Ubon Thani and Sawang Siwilai Rescue Teams searched for the missing oarsmen for three days until they found their washed-up bodies yesterday. The body of Piyawat was found one kilometre away from the accident spot, and the body of Wannapichit was found 29 kilometres away from where he drowned.

The Thailand-Laos-Vietnam Long Boat Racing is an annual event and one of the biggest events in Bueng Kan province. Racers come from all over the country to take part in the competition alongside racers from Laos and Vietnam. The prize money is over 700,000 baht.

The competition isn’t held on the Mekong River, it is held on a boat racing track in the province, but racers usually practise on the Mekong River.

The Mekong River water level is high during the racing festival, and the waves and wind are very strong. Several accidents and deaths related to race are reported almost every year.

SOURCE: Khaosod | Siamrath