Safety
Tragic Drowning Incident in Phatthalung Province
A 39-year-old father died after drowning in a canal in Phatthalung while on his way to drop his son off at school.
On the morning of September 14, 2026, a tragic incident occurred in Khao Chaison District, Phatthalung Province, resulting in the death of a 39-year-old man. According to reports from Khaosod Online, the man was driving his 12-year-old son from Hat Yai to a school in Khuan Khanun District when he stopped his pickup truck along the Asian Highway near the Nong Wa canal to wash his face.
When the father did not return after an unusual amount of time, the son exited the vehicle to search for him. Upon discovering his father’s shoes near the canal bank, the boy sought help from local residents and authorities. Rescue teams from Phatthalung arrived at the scene and conducted a search of the canal. They eventually located the man’s body submerged near a concrete drainage pipe.
For residents and travelers, this incident highlights the unpredictable dangers that can exist near roadside water bodies, even during routine stops. While the circumstances surrounding how the man entered the water remain under investigation by the Khao Chaison Police, the event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of caution when stopping near unfamiliar terrain. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the specific cause of the fall or the final medical examiner's report.
