AYUTTHAYA, Thailand – Five Spanish tourists were injured when a large flame tree collapsed inside the historic Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple complex in Ayutthaya on August 16, sending panic through the crowds of visitors gathered to view the ancient monuments. The tree fell at approximately 12:30 p.m. near the wall of the historic temple, where large numbers of Thai and foreign tourists had assembled, with two men and three women among the injured.

Foreigner Injured When a Large Tree Suddenly Falls In Pattaya

Rescue workers from the Phutthaisawan Foundation, police officers, and nearby tourists rushed to help lift branches from those trapped beneath the fallen tree, and the injured visitors were swiftly transported to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital for treatment. One male tourist, a 55-year-old Spanish national, suffered the most serious injuries, including fractured right ribs and a double fracture of his left leg, while the others sustained wounds and pain to their bodies and legs, as well as grazes, according to reports.

One tourist who witnessed the incident said many visitors were standing near the Wat Phra Si Sanphet wall when they heard the tree making a cracking sound, followed by a loud crash as the large flame tree came down on those below.

ระทึก! ต้นหางนกยูงขนาดใหญ่ หักโค่นทับนักท่องเที่ยว ขณะเดินชมโบราณสถานในวัดพระศรีสรรเพชญ์ พระนครศรีอยุธยา บาดเจ็บ 5 ราย พบสภาพต้นไม้อายุเก่าแก่ ลำต้นผุ ประกอบกับขณะเกิดเหตุมีลมกระโชกแรง ทำให้ต้นไม้หักโค่นลงมา#เรื่องเล่าเช้านี้ #ครอบครัวข่าว3 #ข่าวภูมิภาค #พระนครศรีอยุธยา pic.twitter.com/Yuovg5Cw5Q

— เรื่องเล่าเช้านี้ (@MorningNewsTV3) August 16, 2026

People nearby immediately began removing branches from the injured visitors before emergency teams arrived at the scene, demonstrating swift community response in the face of the sudden disaster.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, one of Ayutthaya’s best-known historic sites and a regular destination for overseas tourists including day-trippers travelling from Bangkok, saw its serene atmosphere shattered by the unexpected collapse. An inspection at the scene found that the large flame tree, also known as royal poinciana, had a hollow, decayed interior that had weakened its structure before it broke and fell, with officials believing the tree was several decades old and that its deteriorating condition contributed to the collapse.

Falling temple tree injures visitor, damages cars

Workers cleared branches from the area and officials inspected the site to prevent further danger to visitors continuing to tour the ancient monuments, as authorities urged heightened vigilance around aging trees at popular tourist destinations across the province. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of large trees at historical sites, prompting calls for regular inspections to identify decay and prevent future accidents.

-Thailand News (TN)