PHUKET: A young worker from Myanmar drowned while he and two friends were trying to save a monkey which had fallen into a swamp near an old tin mine in Muang district.
Local police, divers from Phuket marine police and rescue workers were deployed to the mine on Soi Koh Kaew 12 in Muang district around 6.30pm on Wednesday after being alerted that someone had drowned in the swamp, Pol Lt Sirinya Khlaisombat, duty officer at Muang police station, said.
The divers took about 15 minutes to retrieve the young man's body from the swamp, which is about 10 metres deep. He was identified as 18-year-old Set Pai So, from Myanmar.
His father, relatives and friends burst into tears as the body ws brought to shore.
The young man's father, Yu May Ou, 38, told police they were working near the swamp at the old tin mine. His son saw a monkey fall into the swamp around 5pm on Wednesday and called two friends, identified only as Man and Aou, to go with him and help the monkey.
They jumped into the swamp to reach the drowning animal. Mr Man swam most vigorously and took the monkey to shore, leaving Set Pai So and the other friend swimming behind.
His son became exhausted and started floundering. His friend swam alongside and tried unsuccessfully to help.
"Set Pai So drowned," the grieving father said, heartbroken that he saw it happen and was unable to help his son as he could not swim.
Police took the body to Vachira Hospital for a post-mortem examination before it is returned to the family for religious rites.