A tragic accident at Pha Taem National Park: a 48-year-old female tourist was standing to take photos at "Kuang Ton Waterfall," Pha Chana Dai. She slipped and fell from a cliff over 10 meters high. Officials spent over two hours reaching the scene on foot before finding the body with no vital signs.
On 19 Sep 2026, Pol. Col. Santipap Saingam, superintendent of Khong Chiam Police Station, said that around 16:00 on 18 Sep 2026, they received a report from Pramuan Rattanawan, head of Pha Taem National Park, about a tourist slipping off a cliff at Kuang Ton Waterfall. Police investigators, a doctor from Khong Chiam Hospital, park officials, and Khong Chiam rescue workers trekked over 3 kilometers along natural trails to reach the site, taking more than two hours to provide assistance amid difficult terrain.
They found the body of Miss Wannawisa (surname withheld), 48, from Songkhla Province, with no signs of life. Officials attempted CPR but could not save her. They then carefully carried the body out in the dark to send it for detailed forensic examination at the forensic department of Sappasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani City.
According to friends of the deceased, she was traveling with a group of 14 people from Bangkok. The group leader said they had visited the area several times before and did not request a guide. Before the accident, the deceased had gone down to take photos at the second tier of the waterfall, where she slipped and fell over 10 meters to the lower tier, resulting in her death.
Police contacted the family, who came to receive the body. They did not dispute the cause of death and proceeded with customary funeral rites.
Pramuan Rattanawan, head of Pha Taem National Park, expressed condolences to the family and reminded all tourists that during the rainy season, while nature is beautiful, waterfalls and rocky areas become extremely slippery with algae. He urged visitors to be very careful, avoid risky or steep cliff areas, and immediately notify officials in case of emergencies.