Officials are urgently searching “Nong Kao” a 12-year-old boy who is the true great-grandson of a former famous actor Sorapong Chatree after he drowned and disappeared before his friends' eyes
On 7 March 2026, reports came in of a heartbreaking incident at the irrigation canal under Kiew Bridge, Village No. 4, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Maharaj District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. A 12-year-old boy, the great-grandson of the former famous actor Sorapong Chatree, drowned in front of his friends and vanished into the canal with a strong current. Ayutthaya rescue teams deployed divers who searched for more than two hours without finding him. Meanwhile, his mother remained grief-stricken, praying for a miracle.
According to friends who were present, six children of the same age were playing in the water under the bridge. "Nong Kao," a Grade 6 student aged 12, was on one side of the canal trying to swim across to join his friends on the other side. However, he was not a strong swimmer, and at least three of the group also could not swim.
As Nong Kao tried to swim across, the strong current in the canal, which was more than three meters deep, swept him about 10 meters downstream. His friends saw him raising his hands, waving and calling for help. They rushed to swim toward him and managed to grab his hand briefly, but he slipped away and ultimately drowned right before their eyes. The friends panicked and shouted for nearby villagers to come to help.
Ms. Sawitree Thungsapto, 38, Nong Kao’s mother, said that while she was at work, Nong Kao’s father called to inform her that their son had drowned. She immediately rushed to the scene. Usually, her son would message her if he was going anywhere, and she had warned him to stay home and study because exams were near. She also always cautioned him not to play in the water, fearing danger. Normally, her son would go fishing with friends but she did not know why he decided to swim that day. Although he could swim somewhat, he was not very strong.
Nong Kao is the genuine great-grandson of the former famous actor Sorapong Chatree, being the son of Mr. Chalermdet Thiamset, 45, who is Sorapong Chatree’s nephew. After the incident was reported, Ayutthaya rescue volunteers and the Chao Phraya diving team deployed six divers to search the scene and nearby areas. They searched for over two hours but still did not find Nong Kao’s body due to the strong current and deep water in the canal.
Mr. Nattawut Chaisit, District Chief of Maharaj, stated that the district takes this incident very seriously. They will emphasize public awareness campaigns to warn residents, especially parents, to closely supervise their children. Community leaders will broadcast alerts via loudspeakers to remind and help watch over children in the area, discouraging them from swimming in canals or other water bodies, particularly during the hot season when many children secretly swim to cool off, often leading to accidents and loss.