Worker Dies After Pickup Truck Plunges Into University Wastewater Pond
A worker drowned after his pickup truck plunged into a university wastewater pond in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on July 27, just three days into his new job at the facility.
A tragic incident has claimed the life of a young worker who had been employed at a prominent university's wastewater treatment facility for only three days. After attending a Buddhist merit-making ceremony in the area, he was driving a white Isuzu pickup truck back to his accommodation late at night when the vehicle lost control and plunged into the wastewater pond, causing him to drown.
On July 28, 2025, police in Tha Sala subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, received a report of a body found in the university's wastewater treatment pond. Deputy Inspector Anant Bunphet, the investigating officer at Tha Sala Police Station, rushed to the scene with Police Captain Monsakdi Srisuwan, the station commander, along with investigative officers, hospital physicians, and emergency rescue personnel.
The deceased was identified as Verayut (surname withheld), 39 years old, who worked as an employee at the university's wastewater treatment facility. His body was found floating in the treatment pond after being missing for approximately one day.
According to the investigation, Verayut had attended a Buddhist merit-making ceremony in the area and disappeared during the night of July 27. A white Isuzu pickup truck was later discovered partially submerged in the wastewater treatment pond, but his body was not immediately found. The following morning, rescue teams deployed divers in search efforts, which initially proved unsuccessful until his body surfaced in the wastewater.
Preliminary investigation suggests the accident likely occurred because Verayut was unfamiliar with the route back to his accommodation, having worked at the facility for only two to three days. After the merit-making event, he may have socialized and consumed alcohol with friends before attempting to drive alone back to his lodging within the treatment facility area. The vehicle lost control and plunged into the wastewater pond, resulting in his death. After the autopsy was completed, family members were contacted to claim the body for funeral arrangements according to tradition.
