Woman Critically Injured After Fall at Pattaya Big Buddha Viewpoint
Woman Critically Injured After Fall at Pattaya Big Buddha Viewpoint
PATTAYA, 27 July 2026 — A 25-year-old woman was critically injured after falling about 10 metres from a viewpoint at Pattaya’s Big Buddha Hill on Sunday afternoon, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre were dispatched to Wat Phra Yai at approximately 2:05 p.m. on July 26 following reports that a person had fallen from the popular viewpoint.
Rescuers found a crowd of visitors gathered near the scene. The injured woman, identified as Nuntiyaporn Thongsong, from Khon Kaen province, had suffered a severe head injury, a broken right arm and a fractured left leg after falling onto the ground below.
Emergency personnel administered first aid before transporting her to hospital for emergency treatment.
Witnesses told police they saw the woman standing near the edge of the viewpoint before climbing over the protective safety barrier and falling.
One witness, Wasulita Sombunpakorn, 34, said she was visiting the attraction with her family when she noticed the woman near the railing. She said she immediately covered her young child’s eyes after witnessing the fall.
Another witness told investigators the same woman had been seen alone at the viewpoint during the early hours of the morning, appearing deep in thought before lying down for a period. The witness later recognized her after hearing reports that someone had fallen from the site.
Police said the cause of the fall has not yet been determined. Investigators said their preliminary assessment is that the incident may have involved self-harm, but stressed that no conclusion has been reached and that they will interview the woman once her condition allows.
Wat Phra Yai, home to Pattaya’s iconic Big Buddha statue and one of the city’s best-known panoramic viewpoints, attracts thousands of Thai and international visitors each year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm, support is available. In Thailand, you can contact the Thai Mental Health Hotline (1323) or the Samaritans of Thailand for confidential assistance.
