Tourist van plunges into reservoir in southern Thailand

A tourist van plunged into the Rajaprabha Dam reservoir in Surat Thani province, Thailand, on Sunday, August 4.

Fortunately, only the driver was injured; the tourists in the van had gotten out shortly before.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. at a pier on the reservoir in Khao Phang commune of Ban Takhun district.

Location of Surat Thani province on a map of Thailand.

The tour staff were welcoming the dozen or so tourists who had gotten out of the van for boat trips.

Suddenly, the white Toyota van rushed to the end of the high concrete pier and plunged into the reservoir.

The front of the van hit the bottom near the bank, while the rear crashed into a steel pontoon before the vehicle sank.

Amidst shocked tourists, local workers and villagers managed to rescue the van driver, 39-year-old Chanantida Disaya-akaranon, who miraculously survived.

The injured van driver receives first aid on the pontoon. Photo: Supapong Chaolan.

She only suffered a broken left wrist and a cut on her chin.

She remained conscious and was sent to Bantakhun Hospital.

The van was pulled from the water later Sunday. Photo: Supapong Chaolan.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, and it could be linked to a technical problem, overwork or a suicide attempt.

See also:

2 young tourists injured by falling ceiling at Thai airport

3 foreigners die while practicing tourism in Thailand

4 tourists injured in boat accident in Bangkok, Thailand

2 French people die in a horrific motorcycle accident in Thailand

Source: Bangkok Post