The family expressed no suspicion after seeing CCTV footage. The former Thai national swimmer went missing for two days before his body was found in a forest beside a canal in Saraburi. Rescue workers described the moment they found the body located.
On 16 Aug 2026, officials found Mr. Kritin Sriphom, 34, from Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province—a former Thai national swimmer and swimming instructor—dead in the grassy forest by an irrigation canal. His family had posted a social media appeal after losing contact with him following his departure from a friend's house in Ban Mo District, riding a gray Honda ADV motorcycle without a license plate since late Friday night, 14 Aug. His body was face down and swollen, with severe wounds on the head and face. About 10 meters down the road, the damaged motorcycle was found and had to be lifted onto the road with a tow truck. Relatives came to see the body and performed a traditional incense ritual to invite Kritin's spirit home according to their beliefs.
Mr. Jirawat Sonduang, a rescue worker from Duang Tawan in Ban Mo District, said the deceased often went fishing at his elder brother's house in Ban Mo. Kritin left his brother’s home around 11 p.m. on Friday, 14 August. The next morning, his sister reported he had not returned home. Relatives and rescue workers searched all night, checked CCTV along the routes he might have taken, and looked roadside but found nothing. While searching again and stopping to eat noodles roadside, after finishing his meal and crossing to put away the bowl, they spotted Kritin’s body lying beside the irrigation canal road. They believe he lost control of the motorcycle and crashed off the road.
Recently, Lieutenant Sombat Phonsing, deputy investigator at Ban Mo Police Station, said the autopsy results were not yet out but expected by 1 p.m. Relatives who saw the CCTV footage at the time of the incident have no doubts about the cause of death. Earlier in the morning, family members had already contacted Saraburi Hospital to obtain the death certificate.
Later, the news team visited Ban Klang Temple in Muang Ngam Subdistrict, Sao Hai District, Saraburi, where Kritin’s funeral is being held. Relatives were preparing the venue without performing the traditional water-pouring ritual. The prayer ceremony is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. for five consecutive nights, with the cremation set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
Lieutenant Narong Sriphom, 65, Kritin’s father, said his son had served in the military before resigning to become a swimming instructor. Kritin was a former Thai national finswimming athlete who represented Thailand at the SEA Games in Laos. The family has no doubts about the death cause after viewing the CCTV footage. The autopsy results are pending and will be known when they receive their son's body.