LOPBURI, Thailand – A 59-year-old paramotor pilot died after his aircraft crashed into the reservoir at Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi amid strong, shifting winds and heavy rain. The accident occurred at about 5:10 p.m. on Aug. 29 in Manaowan subdistrict, Phatthana Nikhom district, after three paramotors took off from the Ban Tha Rit area.
According to authorities, the pilots encountered rapidly changing weather and strong gusts. One paramotor crashed near the dam and another landed on the ground behind the dam embankment, with the pilots escaping with minor injuries. The third aircraft plunged into the reservoir, leaving its pilot missing.
Police, local officials and rescue teams immediately launched a search operation despite continued rainfall. After more than three hours of searching, divers and a water-rescue team located the body at a depth of about eight metres at around 8 p.m. The victim was identified as Boonsri Thapenboon, 59, originally from Lampang and working in Bangkok.
A fellow paramotor pilot, Anan Kaewwichian, 31, said the group had taken off at around 4:30 p.m. and was flying near the dam when a powerful gust suddenly struck. Anan said he managed to steer his paramotor toward the shore, while another pilot landed behind the dam. He then saw Boon Sri’s paramotor fly about 40 metres from shore before crashing into the water.
The group rushed to help. Boon Sri reportedly separated from the aircraft and tried to swim toward shore but became exhausted and disappeared beneath the water within seconds, according to his friend. The pilots said they had more than 10 years of experience in the sport but believed the accident was caused by the sudden gusts and rapidly deteriorating weather. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
