Another Phuket workplace fatality: Shrimp farm worker found dead in boat

PHUKET: A Myanmar national was found dead this afternoon at the Sri Soonthorn shrimp farm where he worked, marking the fifth work-related death within two weeks in Phuket.

The body of Nyi Paing, 25, was found on a boat in one of the farm’s ponds by a co-worker after he did not return from his morning work routine, Lt Col Watcharapong Plaiphan of the Thalang Police told the Phuket Gazette.

“We were notified of the incident at about 1pm today,” said Col Watcharapong.

“Mr Nyi’s body was lying face up in a shrimp-feeding boat that was floating next to a generator used to power the aerators in the pond.

“At this stage, we believe he was electrocuted.”

The co-worker who found Mr Nyi, named by police only as Mr Sae, said that Mr Nyi went to feed the shrimps in the morning, but never returned.

“I was worried, so I went to check on him,” said Mr Sae.

The manager of the farm had to cut the electricity to the generator before Mr Nyi’s body could be removed from the boat, explained Col Watcharapong.

Charges have yet to be pressed over the death of Mr Nyi.

“Mr Nyi’s employer is Yongyuth Konghan. We will call him into the station for questioning,” said Col Watcharapong.

The body was transferred to Thalang Hospital.

Mr Nyi’s death is the second report of a work-related death in Phuket in two weeks. On March 26, four workers died in a sewer after exposure to lethal doses of hydrogen sulfide (story here).

— Thawit Bilabdullar