NAKHON SI THAMMARAT – A Thai Army paratrooper narrowly avoided disaster during a routine training exercise when his main parachute malfunctioned, forcing a dramatic last-second deployment of his reserve chute.

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The heart-stopping incident occurred around 4:30 PM on Monday during an annual drill for soldiers of the Sichon Special Warfare Camp. The exercise, conducted at the 4th Army’s airfield near Somdet Phra Srinagarindra 84 Park, took a terrifying turn when one soldier’s primary parachute collapsed mid-descent.

Paratrooper's chute collapses, saved by reserve #Thailand #news #BangkokPost https://t.co/VDBL1or7vg

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Eyewitness Thewan Ketkaew, a 49-year-old local journalist who was jogging nearby, captured the ordeal on video. “There were strong winds, but the other paratroopers were landing safely,” he said. “Then suddenly, one soldier’s parachute failed, and he began plummeting toward what appeared to be a large pond.”

As emergency teams rushed to search the water, they found only the discarded main parachute. It was later revealed that the quick-thinking soldier had cut away the faulty chute and activated his reserve, landing unharmed within the military compound just outside the designated drop zone.

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Military officials praised the soldier’s composure and training, which averted what could have been a fatal accident. The incident concluded without injury, leaving the soldier, his comrades, and commanders profoundly relieved.

-Thailand News (TN)