The body of a worker who was ejected into the Chao Phraya River after a pontoon boat explosion was found drifting more than 5 kilometers from the site. Relatives broke down upon seeing the body.
Regarding the incident of the “pontoon boat sinking” opposite Suksawat 84 in Samut Prakan Province, initially injuring two people with one missing; rescue teams were searching intensively (Read news: “Pontoon boat sinks” opposite Suksawat 84 injuring 2, missing 1; rescue teams intensify search)
At 12:30 on 1 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Lieutenant Colonel Suwat Pholee, Deputy Investigation Officer at Phra Samut Chedi Police Station, Samut Prakan Province, was notified of a body found floating near a shipyard by the mouth of San Samit Canal, Moo 3, Laem Fa Pha Subdistrict, Phra Samut Chedi District. Forensic doctors from Phra Samut Chedi Swatyanon Hospital and volunteers from Poh Teck Tung Foundation were called to investigate the scene.
The body was then towed by boat to the Laem Fa Pha Temple pier, lying face down, dressed in a long-sleeve blue crew neck shirt, black sweatpants, and black boots. The body had a 5 cm laceration on the back of the head, a 2 cm cut near the left eye’s outer corner, and bruising. Police took photographs of the scene and the body as evidence.
While officials were examining the body, relatives of Mr. Samart Phanwong, 55, who went missing in the river after the pontoon boat explosion, arrived. Upon seeing the body, they broke down in tears, confirming it was Mr. Samart. Police then handed the body to Poh Teck Tung Foundation volunteers to transport to the Police Hospital Forensic Institute for autopsy to determine the cause of death. Afterwards, the body will be returned to the family for religious funeral rites.
Mrs. Suthinee, 54, the wife, said her husband had worked with her sister in the boat towing business for over seven years. She last saw him two weeks ago but had video-called him yesterday (30 Jun 2026 GMT+7). He appeared somber, so she asked if something was troubling him. He said he was very tired and busy at work. She told him that she would take him out for shabu after he returned. Today, he passed away. She is deeply saddened by the incident, especially as they had no chance to say goodbye.
Mr. Somkid Thananan, 52, assistant village headman, said his younger brother found the body near Asian Marine Company. He took a boat out to bring the body for family identification, believing it was the victim of yesterday’s gas pipe explosion. The victim’s relatives arrived at the scene, confirming the body was the same person missing in the water whom divers and rescue volunteers had searched for yesterday without success. The body was face down in the middle of the Chao Phraya River.
Rescue volunteers tied the body with rope and brought it ashore for officials to inspect and for relatives to confirm it was the same person missing yesterday. Confirmation was given that the body was the one found today after the search.