CityNews – An air force trooper drowned in the Ping River in the early hours of yesterday morning after going swimming while drunk.
Photo: Weerasak Panyachod.
Leading Aircraftman Krerkchai Srichai, 27, was stationed at Chiang Mai’s Wing 41 base. His body, wearing only underpants, was found under the Nawarat Bridge yesterday morning, just 200 metres from where he went missing.
His friend Sergeant Chakorn Chumsong, 27, said four military personnel had been drinking at a restaurant near the river until it closed. At around 1.30am, they challenged each other to swim to the opposite bank.
But Krerkchai disappeared halfway across, his friends said. They tried to help, but couldn’t reach him in time. They called police, and a rescue team was sent to look for Krerkchai, although the search was called off at 4am.
Krerkchai’s relatives have been informed and his body has been sent for an autopsy.