Giant Honeybees Attack Crowd, Injure Nearly 20
Giant honeybees swarmed a civic center in Chachoengsao Province on August 20, attacking a crowd that included schoolchildren and injuring 17 people, some critically. Authorities destroyed a one-meter nest in a nearby tree after a fire set b
On August 20, 2025, at 10:20 a.m., the Sawang Boriboon Foundation emergency center in Pattaya received reports of giant honeybees swarming and attacking residents and schoolchildren near the Bang Lamung District Office in Na Klua Subdistrict, Chachoengsao Province. More than five ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
The incident occurred in a civic center area housing the Bang Lamung Police Station, the district office, and Bang Lamung School, beside a large crab-apple tree where a food and beverage center operates. Initially, ten victims were found with stings across their bodies, some experiencing severe allergic reactions and large welts. Rescue teams provided first aid before transporting victims to Pattaya Pathum Kunyawat Hospital.
One of the injured, Oranong, a 71-year-old food vendor, was attacked by approximately 100 bees and fell into critical condition. Police Sub-Lieutenant Ratchapol Seneewongsa, an investigations officer at Bang Lamung Station, attempted to rescue her but was also attacked. By the time authorities contained the situation, 17 people had been injured: four adults (two vendors, one police officer, and one resident) and 13 schoolchildren. The students were returning home after being dismissed from school due to a power outage.
According to a witness, Jirapa, 58, a nearby vendor, the incident began when Oranong lit a fire to grill chicken. A few giant honeybees descended from the crab-apple tree but the swarm was initially small. Within two minutes, hundreds of bees attacked Oranong, knocking her to the ground. When Sub-Lieutenant Ratchapol tried to help, he too was overwhelmed. Regaining his senses, he grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it on Oranong to drive the bees away. The swarm continued attacking passersby and schoolchildren.
Inspection revealed a large nest, approximately one meter by one meter, in the crab-apple tree. Pattaya land disaster relief officials used an aerial lift to burn the nest immediately to prevent further incidents. Residents noted a similar but less severe attack had occurred previously.
