📍 Koh Larn near Pattaya, Thailand Ko Lan is a small Thai island off the coast of Pattaya, in the Gulf of Thailand. It's known for its beaches, set against a backdrop of wooded hills. In the north, Ta Waen Beach is dotted with restaurants and shops. A large, stingray-shaped building dominates Samae Beach's north end. The beach is famed for its clear water and sunset views. Small monkeys inhabit the hills around coral-ringed Nual Beach, in the south. #kohlarn #kohlarnisland #pattaya #pattayathail

This dramatic incident really happened today (January 12, 2026) on Koh Larn (also spelled Koh Lan), the popular island off Pattaya, Thailand. A 55-year-old American paraglider (identified as Michael in some reports) became entangled in his gear after crashing into a high-voltage electricity pole around 2:30 PM. He was attempting to land near Tawaen Beach (Ta Waen Beach) after launching from a mountaintop on the island. The paraglider ended up dangling upside down more than 10 meters in the air,