Deadly Charger: Rubber Tapper Dies from Electrical Short After Charging Phone Directly to Power Outlet While Intoxicated

A 30-year-old rubber tapper died from an electrical short circuit after falling asleep while charging his phone using a direct power connection. Around 10:00 a.m. on May 13, 2025, police received a report from a village elder in Rayong's Kaeng district about a rubber worker who had been electrocuted in a rubber plantation worker's quarters. Officers found the body of Wanchai, age 30, lying dead with severe burn marks on the left side of his neck and upper chest. A cracked mobile phone with the charging cable still inserted was found on his chest. Investigators discovered a modified adapter connected directly to 220-volt power at the outlet. He was estimated to have been dead for at least 6-8 hours.

When questioned, Wanchai's younger brother Banchaa explained that his brother regularly drank alcohol and frequently chatted on Line before bed. He habitually charged his phone using the direct method without a standard adapter, despite repeated warnings. Before the incident, Wanchai had messaged his brother about the charger short-circuiting, but the conversation was cut short due to a malfunctioning device. When Banchaa couldn't reach him the next morning and visited the quarters, he discovered his brother had died from the electrical short.

Police officers and investigators collected 3,000 baht from personal funds to assist Banchaa with initial funeral expenses. Relatives have invited monks from Khao Samrong Temple to conduct religious merit-making rituals, with chanting scheduled for one night and the funeral ceremony planned for the following day.