French tourist dies after falling from waterfall on Samui island

A French national was killed when he fell from the 5th tier of a famous waterfall on Samui Island in Surat Thani province yesterday.

According to Samui police, the 22-year-old victim, only identified as Alexis, and his French girlfriend were visiting the Na Muang 2 waterfall in Na Muang sub-district on a sight-seeing trip.

Both trekked up to the 5th tier of the waterfall and reportedly climbed onto a boulder overlooking the waterfall to take pictures. Both lost their balance on the slippery surface and fell. The woman survived the fall by grabbing a tree branch, which saved her life.

The man, however, fell into a pond in the 4th tier of the waterfall and died.

The survivor then walked down to the base of the waterfall to seek help from a food stall owner, who then alerted the police. The French Embassy in Bangkok has been notified of the tragedy.

Park officials said that there are signs posted at the foot of the waterfall advising visitors to avoid risky areas and to exercise extreme caution.