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A Surprising Discovery in Thailand
A 65-year-old Thai woman stunned temple workers when she knocked on her coffin moments before cremation. The dramatic incident happened on Sunday at Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi near Bangkok.
Her brother had driven her 500 kilometres from Phitsanulok, believing she had died two days earlier. He said she stopped breathing and became unresponsive after two years of bedridden illness. He placed her in a coffin and took her to the temple because it offered free cremation. However, the story took a shocking turn.
Knock Heard Inside the Coffin
Temple manager Pairat Soodthoop spoke with the man and explained that he needed a death certificate. During that conversation, he heard a faint knock from inside the coffin. He asked staff to open it. The woman moved her arms and slightly opened her eyes, surprising everyone. Soodthoop said she must have knocked for some time before they heard her.
Temple staff quickly assessed her and called emergency responders.
Emergency Response and Hospital Transfer
An emergency crew transported the woman to a nearby hospital. She remains alive under medical care. The temple also offered to cover her medical expenses.
Her brother said she had asked to donate her organs in Bangkok, but a hospital there refused to accept her without an official death certificate.
Previous Cases of Premature Declarations of Death
Thailand has reported similar cases in the past, where people considered deceased later showed signs of life in coffins or even graves. These cases often spark public debate about medical procedures and death verification in rural areas.
Ongoing Concerns and Next Steps
The incident raises new questions about medical oversight. It also highlights the emotional and logistical challenges families face when caring for chronically ill relatives.
The phrase “woman found alive coffin” already attracts attention worldwide. This remarkable case strengthens those discussions and underscores the need for improved death-verification systems.
