According to Bangkok Post, a flood swept into Nam Talu Cave in Khao Sok National Park at 19h30 on August 6 (local time), when a group of tourists was on their way out of the cave. A tour guide drowned because he was unable to escape outside in time.
22 foreign tourists and the remaining tour guide in the group were fortunate to escape the floodwaters and suffered no serious injuries. At present, it is still unclear why the tour guides took the tourists into the cave at this time. Because, Nam Talu Cave has been closed since June due to the risk of floodwaters during the rainy season.
According to the account of the victim, the tour guide slipped and was swept back into the cave by the floodwaters. The others had to fight against the water and were led to safety by park rangers. Two female tourists suffered minor injuries to their legs and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Subsequently, park rangers and rescue personnel began searching for the missing tour guide. The victim was confirmed to be Pongyot Koeddee, 37 years old, from Ubon Ratchathani (northeastern Thailand). The victim's body was found inside the cave around 3h20 on August 7 (local time).
Mr. Attapol Charoenchansa - Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand, stated that he had ordered the Director of Khao Sok National Park to take legal action against the tourism company that took tourists into Nam Talu Cave despite it being closed.
He confirmed that the cave is closed every year during the rainy season due to the risk of flooding, from June 1 to November 30.
Nam Talu Cave is 600 meters long and has a cave entrance 30 meters wide. The cave is famous for its beautiful stone blocks, stalactites, and stalagmites, attracting a large number of tourists to visit.
This is not the first time tourists have been injured at Nam Talu Cave. Previously, on October 13, 2007, a flood swept through the cave, killing 8 Thai and foreign tourists who were trapped inside the cave.
