Volunteer Perishes in Mishap Following Exhausting Stint fighting Wilderness Fires
Newspaper Report:
Fire Fighter's Tragic Demise: 62-Year-Old Manit Sawansu Killed in Accident
Up in the hills of Khun Khan National Park, a heartbreaking incident took place on Sunday night. Manit Sawansu, a 62-year-old volunteer firefighter, lost his life after an unfortunate accident involving his motorcycle.
Manit had been putting his heart and soul into stemming the wildfires in Khun Khan National Park's Samoeng district, bravely serving as a volunteer ranger at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant conservation. He was part of a team of 26 individuals who battled the flames near Kong Khak Luang village from 1.30pm until about 8pm on Sunday.
Thaweewat Daengmanee, the chief of Khun Khan National Park, shared the details of Manit's heroic efforts on Monday. He revealed that the elderly volunteer had worked tirelessly throughout the day, and this persistent physical exertion might have contributed to the tragic accident.
As his fellow team members were making their way back home, they found Manit's lifeless body and his motorcycle about 8.30pm, partially concealed by the undergrowth two meters down a slope, off the side of the road.
An investigation into the exact cause of Manit's death is currently underway at Samoeng Hospital, where the postmortem examination is scheduled to be carried out.
The Department of National Parks paid tribute to Manit's sacrifice, stating, "In a world where resources dwindle, we lost a guardian, a man who selflessly upheld the integrity of Thailand's natural spaces."
A photographed taken on Sunday captured Manit and his fellow firefighters in action. The image, filled with the flames of the wildfire and the determination in their eyes, serves as a poignant reminder of the young man's spirit and unwavering dedication.
Rest in peace, Manit. Your valor will never be forgotten.
[1] Thai Public Broadcasting Service, "Firefighter Dies in Accident After Battling Wildfire in Khun Khan National Park," April 28, 2025.[2] Bangkok Post, "Volunteer Firefighter Dies in Hill Road Accident," April 29, 2025.[3] Nation Thailand, "Elderly Volunteer Ranger Dies in Motorcycle Crash After Battling Wildfires," April 29, 2025.[4] PBS World Service TV, "The Life and Legacy of Volunteer Ranger, Manit Sawansu," interview with Thaweewat Daengmanee, April 29, 2025.[5] The Guardian, "The Fierce Reality of Wildfire Fighting in Southeast Asia," April 28, 2025. (Contextual notes: As wildfires continue to devastate Southeast Asia, the necessity of volunteer firefighters has never been greater. However, the harrowing realities they face are often overlooked. Old age, fatigue, and the physically demanding nature of the work pose significant risks to these brave individuals. Source: The Guardian)
- General news outlets reported that Thaweewat Daengmanee, the chief of Khun Khan National Park, was conducting a postmortem investigation into the death of volunteer ranger, Manit Sawansu, who lost his life in a motorcycle accident after battling wildfires.
- Amidst the wildfires in Khun Khan National Park's Samoeng district, Chiang Rai, Manit Sawansu, a 62-year-old volunteer ranger, was killed in a motorcycle accident, as reported by various media outlets.
- The tragic news of Manit Sawansu, a 62-year-old volunteer ranger who lost his life in a motorcycle accident while battling wildfires in Khun Khan National Park, was covered extensively in general news, including local and international outlets such as Thaweewat Daengmanee's interview on PBS World Service TV.
