CHAINAT, THAILAND — On a midday in Mueang District on Phrom Prasert Road, a 52‑year‑old French national named David from Marseille jumped into the Chao Phraya River to rescue a Thai woman in her 30s from drowning.
The moment of rescue caught on camera
At around 12:00 p.m., footage from a street surveillance camera on Phrom Prasert Road showed the woman climbing over a metal fence before plunging directly into the river. Witnesses along the embankment shouted for help and contacted the Chainat provincial police, but the strong upstream current kept bystanders from entering the water.
Within seconds, David, who lived fewer than 200 meters from the site, heard the cries. Without shoes or flotation gear, he ran to the bank and dove in. “I SAW HER START TO SINK, SO I JUMPED IMMEDIATELY,” he told reporters after the rescue.
A Thai delivery rider joins the effort
A local delivery driver, identified by witnesses only as a man in his twenties, entered the river moments later. Others ran to retrieve a lifebuoy from a nearby pier and tossed it toward the pair. Working together, the two men pulled the unconscious woman through approximately 15 meters of rough water to reach the shore, where they performed first aid before her relatives took her to a Chainat hospital.
From the port of Marseille to the rivers of Thailand
Reporters inquired how David, a long‑time resident of Chainat province, could swim so effectively in a heavy current. He explained that his upbringing in Marseille, a Mediterranean port at the mouth of the Rhône River, prepared him for such conditions. “I GREW UP SURROUNDED BY WATER — WE SWAM DAILY, SOME PLAYED WATER POLO,” he said, noting that those childhood routines helped him stay calm during the rescue.
Thai authorities praise the international teamwork
The Chainat provincial administration, through spokesperson Lt. Col. Somchai Rattanakul, commended both rescuers on Tuesday, saying the pair “SHOWED HOW THAIS AND FOREIGNERS CAN SAVE LIVES TOGETHER.” Officials confirmed that the woman regained consciousness later that afternoon following treatment at Chainat Hospital’s emergency ward.
Public response and recognition
Since local media outlet KhaoSod English published the footage on Facebook and Twitter, the video amassed over 200,000 views in two days. Many users hailed David as a symbol of cross‑cultural compassion. The Chainat Governor’s Office announced plans to formally thank both men at a small ceremony next Monday at 10:00 a.m.
Authorities urged residents along the Chao Phraya River to remain cautious during the current monsoon period when water levels frequently exceed 3.5 meters. Police have also reminded the public to call 191 immediately if similar incidents occur rather than attempting high‑risk solo rescues.
Key facts:
– Rescue location: Phrom Prasert Road, Mueang District, Chainat
– Time of incident: Midday, approximately 12:00 p.m.
– People involved: 52‑year‑old French national David (Marseille) and one Thai delivery driver
– Victim: Thai woman in her 30s
– Outcome: Rescued alive, treated at Chainat Hospital
– Official follow‑up: Public commendation scheduled for Monday
A moment of shared humanity
As the Chainat Governor’s Office prepares the commendation, David remains modest about his role. “IT WAS TEAMWORK — THE THAI DRIVER AND I JUST DID WHAT HAD TO BE DONE,” he said, standing near the same riverbank where he dove days earlier.
For now, the story of a Marseille swimmer and a Chainat rider continues to circulate across Thailand, reminding residents that courage and cooperation can bridge every current.