Lifesaving and Rescues in Thailand

Thailand has a very active lifesaving and rescue scene. Independent groups work closely with government organisations, hospitals, and fire services. At major events they form part of a well coordinated team effort to provide safety and emergency cover.

Lifesaving in Thailand isn't just a fancy sport. It is all about real rescues from real events, saving real casualties.

 Pingnakorn Rescue

We visited the Pingnakorn Rescue Team in Chiang Mai during Songkran 2010, the big water throwing festival celebrating Thai New Year. Their task was to guard parts of the long moat around the old town, where most of the water splashing takes place.

Apart from water rescue the Pingnakorn Rescue Team gets called out to assist with fires, buses that came off the road rolled down a ravine the jungle, pulling dead people from lakes and rivers, and many more emergencies. Everything gets carefully documented. Some of the photos in their archive are too gruesome to show here.

Nonetheless, they are a happy bunch of rescuers with a very active social life. For more details see their website:

pingnakorn.150m.com (Thai language only)


Relaxing in a lake after a long day of action.