A Canadian tourist died while trying to make the grueling climb up Thailand’s Tiger Cave Temple, collapsing near the top of the site’s infamous staircase, according to local officials. Reports say the man was climbing the 1,260 steps with his 61-year-old Thai wife when he collapsed near the 1,100th step on March 29. His identity was not immediately released.
The tragedy happened at Tiger Cave Temple, also known as Wat Tham Suea, one of Krabi’s most famous religious landmarks and a major draw for tourists. The site is known for its brutal uphill climb, with visitors forced to tackle more than 1,200 steep steps to reach the hilltop shrine and its sweeping views. In Thailand’s heat, that climb can quickly turn dangerous.
According to reports, emergency crews rushed to the staircase after the tourist was found unconscious. Bystanders reportedly tried to revive him before paramedics arrived, but rescuers said he had no pulse and could not be saved. His body was later carried down the steep stairway. Police said his wife told them he had complained of dizziness shortly before he collapsed.
The couple had been visiting Krabi and were making the climb to pay respects at the Buddha statues at the top, according to authorities. His wife reportedly said they had done similar climbs before, which makes the sudden death even more shocking.
What makes the incident even more alarming is that it came just three days after another man, a 68-year-old Thai visitor, also collapsed and died at the temple summit. That back-to-back loss has triggered a wave of concern online, with many people in Thailand calling for stronger safety measures at the site. Suggestions have included health screenings, restrictions for older climbers, and even a cable car to reduce the risk of more deadly emergencies.
This is not the first time the temple’s staircase has been linked to tragedy. In March 2023, a 70-year-old Australian tourist died after completing the climb, and in January 2023, a 19-year-old German tourist was injured after fainting and falling near the summit. With another tourist now dead, the pressure is only growing for officials to figure out how to make one of Thailand’s most breathtaking attractions less deadly.