A Thai tourist lost his life on Monday, August 12, after slipping on rocks while taking a selfie at Chan Ta Then Waterfall in Chon Buri. Rescuers from the Pure Yiang Tai Siracha Foundation were alerted to the accident in the afternoon but found the victim already deceased when they reached the fourth tier of the falls.
Thai tourist dies after slip during waterfall selfie
A 55-year-old man fell from the fourth tier of the Chan Ta Then Waterfall and was found lying face down in the water with fatal injuries. Rescuers reported that he had struck his head on a rock during the fall and showed severe facial trauma and a broken right leg when they arrived at the scene.
The tragic accident occurred while the man was apparently taking photos; his mobile phone attached to a selfie stick was discovered nearby. Authorities and rescuers treated the scene with care, and local media such as Channel 7 and Thaiger reported the incident as a reminder of the dangers of taking selfies near unstable terrain.
Rescuers reached fourth tier after steep, slippery trek
The Pure Yiang Tai Siracha Foundation team was alerted at 2:36 pm on Mother’s Day, August 12, and had to make a difficult approach to reach the fourth tier of the falls. Although the distance from the first to the fourth tier is about 1.5 kilometres, the route is steep and strewn with slippery rocks, which slowed the rescue effort.
Teams carried medical equipment and moved cautiously to avoid further incidents while attempting to access and transport the victim. The nature of the terrain made evacuation and on-site treatment challenging for rescuers, underscoring how hazardous such locations can be even for experienced responders.
Victim identified; phone and selfie stick found nearby
Rescuers later identified the deceased as 55-year-old Daechathorn Thiantubtim. They confirmed he had fallen from the fourth tier and sustained fatal head injuries; his mobile phone, still attached to a selfie stick, was found in the vicinity of his body.
Local authorities and rescue personnel have not indicated any suspicious circumstances beyond the apparent accident, and the incident has been reported by Channel 7 and other outlets. The case has prompted renewed calls for visitors to exercise caution around waterfalls and other natural attractions, particularly when attempting photos in risky spots.
The death of Daechathorn Thiantubtim is a sobering reminder of the risks involved in photographing oneself in hazardous natural settings. Authorities and rescue teams urge visitors to prioritise safety over images and to be aware of unstable footing and slippery rocks when exploring waterfalls and cliffs.
