PATTAYA, Thailand – Two 14-year-old best friends tragically drowned in a residential swimming pool in Pattaya after they were reportedly filming themselves competing in an underwater breath-holding challenge. Rescue volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation and police rushed to a housing estate in Soi Wat Boon Samphan (Khao Noi) on the evening of June 13 following reports that two children had been pulled from a swimming pool in critical condition. At the scene, good Samaritans had already brought the pair from the bottom of the communal swimming pool. Both were unconscious and had no pulse. Rescuers immediately began CPR and emergency first aid, but despite extensive efforts to save them, both were pronounced dead.
Investigators found mobile phones belonging to the victims beside the pool, with one device propped against a water bottle. Authorities believe the pair may have been recording a video while competing to stay underwater. A young witness, identified as Brian, said he and friends were sitting near the pool when one of them noticed two people lying motionless on the pool floor. Initially believing they were simply diving, they became concerned when neither surfaced after several minutes. The group then alerted nearby residents and called emergency services.
The mother of one of the girls, Kanittha, 42, said she had dropped her daughter off at the housing estate at around 4 p.m., where her friend was waiting. She understood the pair planned to attend dance practice and later go swimming. Before leaving, she warned her daughter not to enter the water because she feared an accident could occur.
When she was later unable to contact her daughter, she called her phone, only to have a rescue worker answer and deliver the devastating news. Authorities believe the pair may have lost consciousness while attempting an underwater challenge in the deep pool. Tragically, no one realized they were in distress until it was too late. The incident left relatives and residents heartbroken, with grieving family members breaking down in tears at the scene.
