A village forest fire patrol officer who went missing during operations in Ban Saluang in Mae Rim district, has been found dead.
At around 8pm on 31st March, Mae Rim district officials were notified by the village headman that one member of a fire patrol team had failed to return after completing firebreak work in the area. The missing man was identified as Boonma Phadaeng, 56, who had joined his village’s patrol unit to suppress an active forest fire and construct firebreaks. He was last seen as the team wrapped up operations that evening.
Villagers and officials searched through the night. Family members confirmed he had not returned home. On the morning of 1st April, the Mae Rim district chief activated a formal search centre, mobilising over 200 people from multiple agencies. At around 10am, Boonma’s body was found in forested terrain 300 metres from where the firebreak work had been carried out. There were no signs of foul play. Preliminary assessment suggests he died from cumulative exhaustion compounded by extreme heat and his pre-existing hypertension. A post-mortem has been ordered to confirm the cause of death.
Authorities have urged all field personnel to exercise heightened caution when operating in hazardous conditions, particularly during periods of extreme heat.
