A man spent the entire weekend high up a high-voltage transmission tower in Udon Thani province – and as of Sunday night officials still did not know why.
Chalermchai Mankong climbed to the top of the 65-metre tower last Friday and has steadfastly refused to come down despite officials’ best efforts to persuade him.
Rescue workers had originally tried their hardest to talk him down – but have since changed tack, according to Udon Thani’s disaster-prevention-and-mitigation chief Panomporn Namuttawong.
“Udon Thani Governor Wattana Puttichart has now changed the techniques. We have reduced the number of staff around the transmission tower. We are no longer talking to him,” he said.
Inflatable beds have been placed around the ground at the foot of the tower in case Chalermchai falls.
“In that event, we will quickly get him to hospital,” Panomporn said.
He also urged passers-by to stop taking photos of the man.
“If people gather around him and take his photos, he may think he’s a hero,” Panomporn said.
It remains unclear why Chalermchai climbed the transmission power.
He originally stayed at the top but ahs has since found a resting spot a little way down.
