CHIANG RAI— A local community is in mourning after a 44-year-old man tragically drowned in the Mae Chan district of Chiang Rai yesterday afternoon. The incident triggered a rapid response from multiple local rescue teams, who recovered the body after a brief underwater search.
On the afternoon of May 28, 2026, local authorities received an emergency call regarding a missing person believed to have disappeared underwater. The incident took place at Ban San Sai village, located in the San Sai sub-district of Mae Chan, Chiang Rai.
According to official reports, the timeline of the rescue operation unfolded quickly:
- 3:30 PM:The Siam Chiang Rai Foundation (Headquarters) was alerted about the missing person by their local Mae Chan district branch.
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM:Specialized dive teams arrived at the scene to assess the water conditions and deploy search equipment.
- 5:12 PM:Divers entered the water to begin the official search operation.
- 3:22 PM After just 10 minutes of searching, rescue divers located and recovered the body of the victim.
Joint Rescue Efforts Praise Quick Response
As soon as the alarm was raised, multiple emergency units coordinated to launch a search and rescue mission. The rapid recovery was a result of strong teamwork between several regional organizations.
The operation involved a joint effort by:
- The Chonlatee Underwater Operations Team ( Siam Chiang Rai Foundation Headquarters)
- The Chonlatee Underwater Operations Team (Siam Mae Sai Foundation)
- The Natee Underwater Operations Team
- Local government officials and village rescue volunteers
Despite the swift 10-minute underwater search that led to the discovery of the victim, medical responders unfortunately confirmed that the 44-year-old man had already passed away.
The identity of the victim has been withheld out of respect for the grieving family. Local authorities have opened an investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding how the man entered the water.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by local waterways, especially during times of unpredictable weather or changing water currents. Local leaders are urging residents to exercise extreme caution near rivers, ponds, and reservoirs in the district.
The Siam Chiang Rai Foundation extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. The victim’s body has been transported to a local hospital for a routine autopsy before being handed over to his relatives for traditional funeral rites.
