In northeast Thailand, a five-year-old boy suffered critical injuries after receiving an electric shock while using a swing at a school playground in Surin province. The incident occurred when the child came into contact with exposed wiring connected to the swing’s metal frame, resulting in an immediate and severe electric shock.
Emergency responders arrived and transported the boy to hospital where he remained in serious condition, with authorities noting the life-threatening nature of his injuries.
Local police and rescue teams inspected the scene and acknowledged the apparent presence of electrical hazards on playground equipment, prompting an urgent investigation into how power wiring became accessible to children on a commonly used swing set. Residents and school officials reported that the swing-set structure had been in place for several years, and concern centred on recent work near the playground that may have affected electrical infrastructure and safety.
The Surin City Administrative Organisation confirmed that safety inspections of school grounds and play areas are ongoing as part of the official response, with authorities seeking to determine whether normal safety procedures were followed during installation and maintenance. Officials emphasised the importance of isolating live conductors and ensuring that all metal-framed play equipment is free from contact with electrical sources to prevent similar tragedies.
The incident triggered calls for stricter risk assessments, hazard reporting mechanisms and routine site safety checks at school playgrounds to identify and mitigate electrocution, structural and environmental hazards before children use the equipment. School administrators vowed to review inspection schedules and maintenance documentation to avoid the recurrence of unsafe conditions.
