A 46-year-old construction foreman was seriously injured late Friday night after slipping and falling approximately 7 meters from a popular seaside viewpoint while heavily intoxicated during a payday celebration with friends.
The incident occurred at around 11:30 p.m. on November 29th at the “Sud Thang Rak” (End of Love) restaurant and viewpoint in Moo 3 in the Thung Sukhla sub-district.
Police Lieutenant Isarapong Thawiyotkirit, duty officer at Laem Chabang Police Station, received a report of a person falling from the cliffside viewpoint and rushed to the scene along with rescue volunteers from the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Foundation.
Rescuers found the victim, identified as Mr. Hanwatthachai Santhat, still trapped at the bottom of the steep drop. Volunteers had to rappel down the 7-meter cliff in a difficult and delicate operation that took around 15 minutes before successfully bringing the injured man to safety.
Mr. Hanwatthachai suffered a laceration to his head, a split lip, and injuries to his right knee and foot. He was visibly intoxicated and in considerable pain. Rescue workers provided first aid at the scene before transporting him to Vichai Ram Laem Chabang Hospital for further treatment. Doctors described his condition as serious but stable.
Witnesses told police that Mr. Hanwatthachai and a group of coworkers had been drinking at the viewpoint since around 4:00 p.m. to celebrate receiving their monthly wages. As the group prepared to head home, the victim walked toward the edge of the viewing area, lost his footing, and slid over the edge.
Fortunately, friends who saw the fall immediately raised the alarm, enabling rescue teams to arrive quickly and prevent a potentially fatal outcome.
