PATTAYA, THAILAND – The body of a 28-year-old man from Myanmar was discovered at the foot of a steep cliff on Koh Larn near a paragliding launch site, prompting a police investigation and an autopsy in Bangkok.
Discovery near Giant Cliff on the south side
On 13 April 2026, police and rescue teams were called to the paragliding area near the cliff known as Giant Cliff on the southern side of Koh Larn. The alert concerned a person reported to have fallen from the cliff.
At around 4:00 p.m., Pol. Lt. Kriengkrai Kaewphibhop, deputy investigator at Pattaya City Police Station, received the report of the suspected fall. He and other officers coordinated the response to the remote coastal location.
Difficult access in rough terrain
Officers were joined by investigators from Forensic Division 2 in Chonburi, an on-duty doctor and volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation Pattaya. The combined team moved out to the site after the initial call.
Because of the remote and rugged terrain, responders had to climb more than 300 meters above sea level to reach the cliff area and the paragliding launch point. The ascent complicated both the investigation and the planned recovery of the body.
Body found about 20 meters below the cliff
The body was located roughly 20 meters below an almost vertical rock face. Based on the assessment at the scene, the man had been dead for several days.
Rescue personnel rappelled down with ropes, and the recovery took nearly an hour to secure the body carefully. Due to the condition of the remains, no clear cause of death could be determined at the scene.
Autopsy in Bangkok to bring clarity
The body was transferred for a detailed autopsy to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok. Only the forensic results were expected to provide final clarity on the cause of death.
Near the edge of the cliff, investigators found personal items, including a black bag, a mobile phone, a smartwatch, two bottles of sleeping pills and a passport. All items were recorded and collected as evidence.
Identity confirmed by passport
The passport identified the deceased as Mr. Chan Tha (also written Shan Thar), 28, a citizen of Myanmar. The mobile phone was set entirely to the Myanmar language.
According to Mr. Sutthiphong Bunmachai, head of the marine unit of the Sawang Boriboon Foundation Pattaya, the discovery was made by paragliding enthusiasts who had come to the area to practice their sport.
“They noticed something unusual and immediately alerted the police and rescue services.”
said Mr. Sutthiphong, head of the marine unit.
Initial assessment: fall possible, cause unclear
Initial assessments suggested the man might have been resting or lying near the edge and possibly fallen while hiking. Clues such as a health and monitoring sheet found among the belongings pointed to a non-intentional incident.
However, authorities stressed that the exact cause remained under investigation.
“Only after the forensic examination is completed will the results be made public.”
said the authorities.