Safety
Tragic Drowning of Elderly Man in Chachoengsao
A 70-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's disease has died after drowning in a canal in Chachoengsao province.
On September 10, 2026, local authorities in Bang Nam Priao, Chachoengsao, responded to a report of a drowning in the Bueng Kong Kham canal. According to Khaosod Online Thailand, police and rescue teams recovered the body of a 70-year-old man, identified as Mr. Mat, from the bottom of the canal, which is approximately three meters deep.
Mr. Mat, who lived alone, reportedly suffered from Alzheimer's disease. His nephew, Mr. Suchat, noted that the victim had been found in a pond near his home just the night before the incident. When discovered in the canal, the victim was wearing a sarong and had a laceration on the left side of his head. Authorities currently hypothesize that he may have fallen and sustained an injury before slipping into the water, though the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
For residents and visitors, this incident highlights the significant risks posed by open water bodies, particularly for vulnerable individuals with cognitive impairments. While the area is not a typical tourist destination, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of supervision and safety precautions near canals and ponds in rural Thai provinces. Official confirmation regarding the precise cause of death is pending further forensic examination.
