A 22-year-old French tourist died on Monday at Koh Samui after falling from a rock while attempting to take a selfie at a waterfall.
On January 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., the radio center of the Koh Samui police station received a report concerning a foreign tourist who slipped at the Na Muang No. 2 waterfall, in the Na Muang district, on Koh Samui island, in Surat Thani province.
Location of Koh Samui island on a map of Thailand.
The police arrived on the scene with local authorities, tourist police, immigration officials, and volunteer rescuers to conduct the investigation.
A rescue operation in difficult conditions
Rescuers recover the body of the French tourist at Na Muang 2 waterfall on the island of Koh Samui after his fatal fall on January 5, 2026.
The relevant authorities worked together to gather information and organize a rapid rescue operation for the tourist.
They then delivered the necessary equipment and undertook the ascent of the waterfall to reach the scene of the incident.
The initial investigations revealed that the victim, Mr. Alexis, a 22-year-old French national, was traveling with his partner, also French, and was staying at a hotel in the Bo Phut district of Koh Samui.
Before the tragedy, Mr. Alexis had taken his partner to visit the natural beauty of Koh Samui, including the Na Muang 2 waterfall, to take photos.
The testimony of the young Frenchman's partner
Police and rescuers at Na Muang 2 waterfall on Koh Samui island after the fatal fall of a French tourist.
La petite amie de la victime, Romane, a déclaré à la police que le couple avait visité la cascade ensemble et était monté jusqu’au cinquième niveau.
While attempting to take selfies on the rocks, they both allegedly slipped.
Romane stated that she managed to grab onto a tree branch, which saved her life, while Alexis was swept away by the current and fell down the waterfall.
Romane then rushed to the foot of the waterfall to alert the nearby restaurateurs, who contacted the emergency services.
A dangerous waterfall
The police and rescuers at Na Muang 2 waterfall on Koh Samui island after the fatal fall of a 22-year-old French tourist on January 5, 2026.
The Na Muang 2 waterfall has been the scene of several serious accidents in the past.
In June 2024, an Italian tourist injured his hips and legs after slipping on the rocks.
In November of the same year, an Indian tourist lost their life after falling off a cliff at this location.
In another case last May, a British soldier was seriously injured in an accident at the waterfall and subsequently faced a hospital bill exceeding 4.4 million baht (approximately 120,000 euros).
In December 2023, another 20-year-old French tourist died after slipping and falling into the same waterfall while exploring the upper levels with friends, requiring a difficult recovery operation by the rescue services.
See: A French tourist dies after slipping on a waterfall in Thailand
Local authorities have again urged visitors to exercise extreme caution when ascending the waterfalls, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
Warning signs have been installed throughout the area and tourists are advised to carefully follow safety instructions to avoid any accidents.
Source: News 1
Prepare your trip to Thailand
Book bus, train, or boat in Thailand
Manage your money while traveling with Wise
If our news, tourist information, or cultural content has been useful to you and you'd like to thank us:
You can follow us on:
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google News
Or install our app:
Install the Toute la Thaïlande app on your smartphone
