Man found dead after falling into Bang Yai Canal

Dulkabpli ‘Bang Lee’ Bibanglod was found dead in Phuket’s Bang Yai Canal on 17 September, several hours after falling into the water near Tantipornsawat Bridge on Takua Pa Road in Talat Yai.

Phuket City Police said Mr Dulkabpli fell at about 3.15am while drinking with friends at a stone table beside the canal. Two friends, Jakkaphon Phumsang, 43, and Kantaphat Mitpraphan, 51, witnessed the incident and alerted police and rescue workers.

A search lasting more than two hours failed to locate him. Police secured a motorcycle at the scene and later confirmed that it was registered in Satun. Mr Dulkabpli’s younger brother, Rapeepat Bilanglod, also contacted police and provided information about the missing man.

At about 10am, local residents reported seeing what appeared to be a body floating in the canal. Pol Lt Col Thanom Thongpaen, an investigation officer with Phuket City Police, coordinated with the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, whose rescuers recovered the body.

The man was wearing a red T-shirt and black long trousers. Relatives later identified him as Mr Dulkabpli, a Thai national originally from Satun who lived in a rented house in Chalong and worked as a musician and general labourer.

Police coordinated with forensic officers and forensic medical staff from Vachira Phuket Hospital. Investigators and a forensic pathologist were to conduct a preliminary examination before the body was transferred to the hospital for a full post-mortem examination.

Police said the family had raised no objection regarding the circumstances of the death and that standard forensic and investigative procedures would continue.