A former Thai national finswimmer, Kritin Sriphom, 34, was discovered deceased on Sunday beside an irrigation canal in Saraburi province. His body was found in tall grass by family members and rescue volunteers who had initiated a search after being unable to contact him. The family has stated they do not suspect foul play and are awaiting an official autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death.
Discovery and Initial Circumstances
Kritin Sriphom, a resident of the Sao Hai district and a swimming instructor, was last seen leaving a friend’s residence in the Ban Mo district around 11 p.m. on Friday. He was reportedly riding a grey Honda ADV motorcycle, which was later found damaged approximately 10 meters beyond where his body was discovered. The motorcycle was noted to be without a license plate.
His body was found lying face down and exhibiting early signs of decomposition, with significant injuries to the head and face. The location of the discovery was in an area with tall grass adjacent to an irrigation canal.
The search for Kritin began after his family lost contact with him. They utilized social media to coordinate efforts when he failed to return home. Relatives later arrived at the scene to formally identify the body. A traditional ceremony, involving the burning of incense, was performed by relatives at the site to help guide Kritin’s spirit home.
Search Efforts and Witness Accounts
Jirawat Sondouang, a volunteer with Duang Tawan Rescue in Ban Mo, recounted Kritin’s regular visits to his elder brother’s home in the district, noting their shared interest in fishing. Kritin had reportedly left his brother’s residence at approximately 11 p.m. on Friday.
Concerns grew when Kritin did not arrive home the following morning. A coordinated search involving relatives and rescue volunteers commenced. These efforts spanned throughout the night, including reviewing surveillance camera footage along potential routes Kritin might have taken and conducting roadside searches. However, these initial efforts yielded no sign of him.
Mr. Sondouang described how, during the resumed search the following day, he stopped at a roadside noodle shop. While returning his bowl, he noticed Kritin’s body beside the road near the irrigation canal. Initially, the prevailing assumption was that Kritin had lost control of his motorcycle, causing him to veer off the road and into the canal-side area.
Background of the Deceased
Kritin Sriphom’s father, Narong Sriphom, a 65-year-old retired army officer, provided details about his son’s life and career. He mentioned that Kritin had served in the military before transitioning to a career as a swimming instructor.
Significantly, Kritin was a former member of Thailand’s national finswimming team. This sport involves athletes using fins to propel themselves through the water. His athletic achievements included representing Thailand at the Southeast Asian Games held in Laos. His father emphasized that the family had reviewed camera footage documenting Kritin’s journey and did not suspect any external involvement in his death.
Family Awaiting Official Findings
The family of Kritin Sriphom is currently awaiting the official autopsy report from medical authorities. This report is expected to provide definitive confirmation of the cause of his death. Once the official findings are released, the family plans to proceed with collecting Kritin’s body to arrange for funeral rites.
The incident has prompted a thorough investigation, with authorities examining all available evidence, including the condition of the motorcycle and the injuries sustained by Kritin. The family’s cooperation and their initial assessment that the death was accidental are key factors in the ongoing inquiry.
