Thai Ranger Paisan Wanphet Drowns Trying to Retrieve Phone Dropped by British Tourist

Paisan Wanphet, a 43-year-old wildlife ranger in Thailand, died while trying to help a tourist. The tourist had dropped their phone into a stream inside Tham Sao Hin cave, in Lam Khlong Ngu National Park, Kanchanaburi. Paisan, a father of two, put on safety gear and went into the cold, dark water to look for the phone.

While swimming, he likely got leg cramps and was carried away by the fast-moving water. Around 120 tourists were safely guided out of the cave by other rangers. Rescue teams searched for hours and found Paisan’s body stuck between rocks about 20 feet underwater at 10 p.m. on April 15.

Chutidet Kamanonchanut, a park official, said, “At around 9 p.m., divers found Mr. Paisan’s body in a rock crevice deep inside the cave. Because of the darkness, heavy rain, and steep paths, it was very hard for the rescue team to get him out.” His body was removed around 2:30 a.m. on April 16 and taken to Thong Pha Phum Hospital. His family accepted the cause of death.

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Chalermchai Sri-on, shared his condolences. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will give Paisan’s family £13,000 in support.

After the accident, officials closed Tham Sao Hin and a nearby cave. They warned that heavy rain may have raised water levels, making the area unsafe. The cave is known for its huge 200-foot limestone column, but during the rainy season from April to October, it can be dangerous due to floods and slippery rocks.

Paisan Wanphet is remembered as a brave and caring ranger who lost his life trying to help others.

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