Bangkok: A construction worker tragically died after falling into a drainage pipe beneath the BTS Punnawithi station. The incident occurred on Sukhumvit Road in the Phra Khanong district. The worker, who was part of a contracting company assigned to install underground power cables, was identified following the discovery of his body.
According to Thai News Agency, the Phra Khanong District Office Facebook page reported that the worker fell into the drainage pipe on September 18, 2026, at 7:04 AM. The incident was reported through the 199 emergency hotline, prompting Phra Khanong Fire and Rescue Station personnel to respond swiftly to the scene for investigation and assistance.
Initial reports suggest that the deceased was a 32-year-old male contractor who may have entered the pipe to wash himself, potentially slipping into it accidentally. The pipe, estimated to be 2-3 meters deep, became the focus of an urgent search and rescue operation by authorities.
At 8:55 AM, rescue workers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation conducted an underwater search operation. They successfully located and retrieved the contractor's body from the pipe, subsequently handing it over to relevant agencies for further procedures.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving officers from Phra Khanong Police Station, Phra Khanong Fire and Rescue, and volunteers from the Por Teck Tung Foundation's underwater rescue unit, all of whom provided critical assistance and support.
Ms. Saithip Sukonmani, Director of Phra Khanong District, stated that the pipe was located in an area where the Metropolitan Electricity Authority had been working overnight to lay underground power lines. The area was typically handed over in the morning. The victim, an employee of the contractor, was discovered missing during a morning worker count, leading to the search that revealed his fall into the pipe.