Deep sorrow as a youth kayak athlete faints and loses consciousness while practicing for the 41st National Youth Games, and has now died.
On 29 Apr 2026, at 18:30, the Prakan Emergency Dispatch Center received a report via hotline 1669 that a student had drowned and was unconscious at the pier along the canal behind Nawaminthrachinuthit Triam Udomsuksa Pattanakarn School in Bang Bo Subdistrict, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province. They coordinated with the Poh Teck Tung Bang Bo rescue team and dispatched an ambulance from Bang Bo Hospital to the scene immediately.
Upon arrival, officials found the body of Kittipitch Chan-amnuay (nickname: Poo Kan), 15, whose ID card lists his address as 98/82, Moo 8, Bang Chalong Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan. He was a kayak athlete from the school. He was found unconscious and pulseless. Officials performed CPR, administered stimulants, and used an AED device. The emergency team then rushed him to Bang Sao Thong Hospital. Meanwhile, over 10 fellow kayak athletes training together hugged and wept in sorrow. Some friends sat staring blankly by the water. Rescue workers and coaches closely cared for the children.
A teammate said that more than ten students, including Poo Kan, were youth athletes representing Samut Prakan preparing to compete at the 41st National Youth Games "Surat Thani Games," scheduled from 7 to 17 May 2026 in Surat Thani Province. They had come to practice kayaking in various categories starting around 16:00, with Poo Kan practicing kayak.
At the time of the incident, no one was with Poo Kan because some teammates had returned from practice. His team had just returned and were putting the boats away at the school. About 3–5 minutes later, they found Poo Kan's kayak capsized and submerged in the canal, with no sign of him.
They then searched and found him underwater, quickly brought him to the pier, and tried CPR but he did not regain consciousness. Normally, he was strong and healthy. The suspected cause was fainting or heatstroke while practicing. When the kayak flipped, his leg got caught in the boat and he was trapped underwater unseen. Nearby houses were occupied by elderly residents resting indoors.
Rescue officials said they rushed to the scene after the alert. On the way, the coach and teammates helped perform CPR while waiting for the team. Upon arrival, no pulse was detected. It has now been confirmed that he died at the hospital.