Body Found After Barge Explosion in Samut Prakan

A man who disappeared during a barge explosion has been recovered as a body from the Chao Phraya River. At 11 a.m. on July 1, police at Phra Samut Chedi station in Samut Prakan received notification from residents about a floating body near Samut Saming Canal in Lam Fa Pha subdistrict. Officers coordinated with hospital medical personnel and foundation divers to investigate the scene along the Chao Phraya River. The body was found face-down in the water wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, black and orange-striped sweatpants, and black boots—matching the description of someone from the barge that exploded around midday on June 30 near a dock opposite Soi Suksawat 84. The body was retrieved and brought to Wai Iam Prachami pier for family identification.

Suthini, age 54, arrived to confirm the body was her husband, Samarthit, age 55, who had been on the barge during the explosion and went missing with it. After foundation divers searched since the previous day without finding him, local residents discovered the floating body before police were notified.

An examination of the body revealed a laceration on the back of the head approximately 5 centimeters long and 3 centimeters deep, and another wound approximately 2 centimeters long and 1 centimeter deep near the left tailbone with bleeding. The body showed signs of prolonged water submersion, with decomposition suggesting death occurred at least 24 hours prior. The body was sent for autopsy.

Suthini, the deceased's wife, stated that her husband had boarded the barge yesterday morning at the dock opposite Soi Suksawat 84 with his sister, who had been operating the vessel for about two weeks. They had video-called that morning, but she had noticed him appearing sad for the previous two days without knowing why. She had suggested they perform merit-making together once he finished work, but before that could happen, she learned he had drowned.