BANGLAMUNG, PATTAYA
A large swarm of Asian giant honey bees attacked passersby near the BangLamung District Office on Thursday morning, leaving 17 people injured, including a 71-year-old food vendor stung by an estimated 100 bees.
The incident occurred around 10:20 a.m. on August 20th, 2026, in the area of the government center in the Na Kluea subdistrict. A nest of the bees, known locally as phueng luang, broke open on a large kamphu tree, sending the insects flying down to sting vendors, police officers, students, and residents in the vicinity.
Rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya responded with more than five ambulances. Many of the injured showed swelling and allergic reactions to the bee venom. They received initial first aid before being transported to Pattaya Pathumkun Hospital.
Among the most seriously hurt was Onanong Ventris, 71, known as “Aunt Aun,” a vendor selling Isan and made-to-order food. She was swarmed by roughly 100 bees and sustained serious injuries.
Police Senior Sergeant Major Ratchaphon Seneewong Na Ayutthaya, a deputy investigation inspector at Bang Lamung Police Station, tried to assist her but was also stung. He grabbed a fire extinguisher in an attempt to drive the bees away from the victims.
Of the 17 injured, four were adults, two vendors, one police officer, and one resident, while the remaining 13 were students from BangLamung School.
Another vendor, Jirapa Patcharawarisakon, 58, said Aunt Aun had been lighting a fire to grill chicken when a few bees first appeared from the tree. Within less than two minutes, a large swarm descended on her, causing her to collapse. Police then intervened and were stung as well.
Authorities later found a large nest measuring about 1 by 1 meter high in the kamphu tree. They used a cherry-picker vehicle to remove it to prevent further attacks. Local residents noted that similar bee incidents had occurred in the area before, but this one was more severe.
Further details of the incident are under investigation.
