In Kanchanaburi, a repeated electric shock incident occurred during the annual festival at the Thapthim Shrine. A 69-year-old grandmother reached out to touch a tent pole and was electrocuted, dying in front of the shrine. It was found that just minutes before, a 6-year-old girl had also been shocked but was fortunately rescued in time.
On 25 April 2026 in Kanchanaburi province, reporters learned that at 20:30 on 24 April 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Uthai Piamlap, an investigator at Tha Ruea Police Station, received a report of an electric shock victim at the annual festival of the Thapthim Shrine in Tha Ruea subdistrict, Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi. He promptly went to the scene with rescue volunteers from Khun Rattanawut Foundation.
At the scene, the body of Mrs. Panninee Nguan Hom, 69, a resident of Wai Niao subdistrict, Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi, was found unconscious in front of the Thapthim Shrine near a sunshade tent pole. CPR was performed, and she was immediately taken to hospital, but later died.
The news team later visited the site, which was set up for the annual festival of the Thapthim Shrine. A traditional opera stage was present, and about three tents were pitched. Villagers were sitting in groups discussing the incident.
Officials watching over the shrine told reporters that Mrs. Panninee came to pay respects at the shrine. She then began to ascend the stairs, holding onto a tent pole in front of the shrine to support herself, but suddenly collapsed to the ground. The official said they were unaware of the earlier incident involving the 6-year-old girl being shocked, as they were not present then.
The news team then went to Wai Niao Temple, where Mrs. Panninee’s funeral was being held. The atmosphere was somber as relatives prepared the funeral. The deceased’s husband stood and gently stroked his wife’s hair on her lifeless body, a deeply emotional scene.
Mr. Phumipat Nguan Hom, 50, son of Mrs. Panninee, said his mother sold rice noodles with curry sauce near Wai Niao Temple. Every year she attended the annual festival at the Thapthim Shrine, bringing her food to help with the event and to pay respects. On the night of the incident, around 7 p.m., someone called to say his mother had been electrocuted. He rushed to the scene but was too late. Doctors informed him she had died at the scene. He added that just minutes before, a 6-year-old girl had been shocked by the same pole but was rescued in time.
"It is unbelievable that such an incident happened twice. The event organizers lacked care and did not properly check the wiring for faults, which caused this accident," he said.
Meanwhile, the Thapthim Shrine committee visited Mrs. Panninee’s funeral to express responsibility, giving initial financial aid of 10,000 baht. On Monday, the committee will host the funeral prayers. After the ceremony, they will discuss further assistance and compensation.