PHUKET — A Myanmar national visiting from the United States died tragically in Phuket after being electrocuted by a faulty streetlight. The incident occurred just days into his long-awaited reunion with his girlfriend after nearly six years apart.
The accident took place around 9:30 p.m. Thursday near a grilled fish restaurant on Don Jom Thao Road in Thepkrasattri, Thalang district. Thura Kyaw, 33, was walking with his girlfriend when he slipped on the rain-soaked pavement and grabbed a streetlight pole for support. The pole, which was later found to have an electrical leak of 220 volts, fatally electrocuted him.
Bystanders immediately attempted to help, performing CPR until emergency responders from the Thepkrasattri Subdistrict Administrative Organization arrived. Despite their efforts, Kyaw was pronounced dead at Thalang Hospital.
According to a friend of the victim’s girlfriend, Kyaw had arrived from the United States just 5-6 days prior, making his first visit to see his girlfriend in about six years.
Following the incident, officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thalang investigated the scene. While the streetlight was under the jurisdiction of the Phuket Highway District Office, preliminary investigations revealed dangerous electrical leakage. The power to the pole was temporarily disconnected to prevent further accidents, and local authorities were advised to contact the Highway District Office for repairs.
The incident raises serious concerns about infrastructure maintenance and public safety in the area, particularly during wet weather conditions.
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