A little boy drowned in a backyard swimming pool as his parents ate dinner just yards away.

Falah Senluang, 4, had travelled with his parents from Samut Prakan province to the villa in Chonburi province. However, the holiday trip ended in tragedy when he was found sinking to the bottom of a swimming pool on May 29 evening.

The youngster's parents were reportedly eating at the back of the two-storey lodging while he played unattended in the water. They eventually grew concerned when they could no longer hear the boy splashing around outside.

They went to check on him and were horrified to find the unconscious child submerged near the pool floor. They pulled him out and quickly called for rescue.

Paramedics administered CPR and tried their best to revive Falah, but it was too late as he had been deprived of too much oxygen. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Firefighter Thanesaphol Poolkrachang said: ‘The boy was already unconscious when we arrived. I asked his mother and she said she doesn’t know how long he has been in the pool. We sent Falah to the hospital but it was already too late.’

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jiriya Thongchoi said they were not treating the death as suspicous.

He added: ‘The body of Falah has already been sent for the religious ceremony. We will be questioning the boy’s family once they are feeling better.'