Kanchanaburi: "Chalermchai" emphasizes taking care of the family of the Lam Khlong Ngu National Park officer who died while on duty. The Director-General of the National Park Department confirmed that he would provide full assistance to the family of a park official from Lam Khlong Ngu after he died while searching for a mobile phone for a tourist who dropped it in the Sao Hin cave.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, stated that Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has ordered the Department of National Parks to urgently provide assistance to the family of Mr. Paisal Waenphet. Mr. Paisal, an officer of Lam Khlong Ngu National Park in Kanchanaburi Province, died while on duty leading tourists to study nature in Sao Hin Cave on April 15.
Initially, the park chief reported that a tourist dropped his phone into the water. Mr. Paisarn, in an attempt to help retrieve it, encountered deep, fast-flowing, and cold water, which likely caused cramps, leading him to be swept away by the current and trapped in a crevice of rocks about 4 meters underwater.
Mr. Chutidet Kamanchanut, Director of the Conservation Area Management Office 3, detailed the search efforts for Mr. Paisal. A rescue team, comprising officials from the National Park Department and divers from the Pitak Kanchan Foundation, was deployed to search until 9:00 p.m. The body was eventually found and removed from the area at 2:30 a.m. on April 16. His relatives did not suspect any foul play.
Mr. Atthaphon further stated that to initially support the families of the deceased officers, the Department of National Parks will provide financial assistance from various funds and welfare programs totaling no less than 570,000 baht. This includes contributions from the National Park Fund, not exceeding 400,000 baht, the National Park Department Welfare Fund, 50,000 baht, the Forest and Sea Conservation Foundation, 100,000 baht, and welfare from the National Park and Conservation Area Office 3 (Ban Pong), 20,000 baht.
Due to heavy rain in the area, the water level in the cave remains high, posing a risk of flash floods. Consequently, the head of Lam Khlong Ngu National Park has announced the closure of the nature study trekking activity at Tham Sao Hin - Tham Nok Nang Aen from April 17, 2025, onwards until conditions stabilize.
