Foreign Man Missing After Falling From Unguarded Bridge in Flood
A foreign man fell into a canal and was swept away by floodwaters while wading with two companions near Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri early September 24; the unguarded bridge has lacked safety railings for over two decades.
Three foreign men were wading through floodwaters when one fell into a canal near Neon Phlap Wan Road in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, at around 5 a.m. on September 24. The man was swept away by the current and remains missing. Police are tracking the other two foreign nationals who left the scene; one reportedly asked locals for rope to help his friend before both departed the area.
The nationality of all three men is still being confirmed, with initial conflicting reports suggesting they are Chinese or South Korean. However, messages used to book their ride through a ride-hailing app suggest the missing man may be South Korean, pending official verification.
Residents near the bridge have disclosed that the structure has had no guardrails for over 20 years. While officials normally inspect and warn the public during floods, this is the first such accident. Locals are aware of the hazard, but outsiders and tourists have no warning signs. The bridge entrance sits at ground level; when floodwaters rise high, it becomes invisible to passersby. Immediately after the incident, municipal officials installed metal barriers, though it remains unclear whether permanent safety railings will be constructed.
