A couple drowned Sunday trying to save their daughter and son at a dyke in Phatthalung province.
Pol Lt Col Klao Polnui, a Khao Chai Son police chief investigator, said the incident occurred at about 5pm at the dyke across a stream near Moo 3 village in tambon Khuan Khanun of this southern province.
According to witnesses, Teerawut Phaosen, 38, his wife Piyanut, 38, their daughter Kewarin, 10, and son Phumpat, 8, and Supaporn Makkawan, 40, Piyanut's sister, came by car to the dyke.
Ms Supaporn and the two children then went down to the top of the dyke and played in the fast-moving water.
Soon after, the three accidentally slipped down the slope of the dyke and into the water below. Teerawut and Piyanut, as well as some other people on the bank of the stream, jumped into the water to rescue them.
They managed to bring the three out of the water to safety, but Teerawut and Piyanut had disappeared.
Police and a rescue unit soon arrived. They searched the stream for about three hours, eventually finding the pair drowned some distance from the dyke.
