A funeral service on the outskirts of Bangkok came to a shocking halt this week when a 65-year-old woman, presumed dead and lying in a casket, was found alive just moments before her cremation was scheduled to begin.
The woman, identified as Chonthirat Sakulkoo, had been transported over 300 miles from her home for the ceremony. Staff at the Wat Rat Prakhong Tham temple were preparing for the final rites when they heard strange noises coming from inside the coffin.
“Faint Knocking” Halts Ceremony
Temple manager Pairat Soodthoop was preparing the cremation, which was scheduled to be live-streamed, when he heard a sound that stopped him in his tracks: a faint knock from inside the wooden box.
“I was a bit surprised, so I asked them to open the coffin, and everyone was startled,” Soodthoop said.
Upon opening the lid, the mourners and staff were stunned to see Sakulkoo moving. “I saw her opening her eyes slightly and knocking on the side of the coffin. She must have been knocking for quite some time,” Soodthoop added.
A 300-Mile Journey While “Deceased”
The incident occurred after a long and tragic journey for the family. According to Sakulkoo’s brother, Mongkol Sakulkoo, his sister had been bedridden for two years. When her health deteriorated rapidly and she appeared to stop breathing, local officials in Phitsanulok province reportedly told the family she had passed away.
Believing his sister was dead, Mongkol placed her in a coffin and drove 500km (300 miles) to Bangkok. The family had initially intended to donate her organs to a hospital in the capital, but they were turned away due to a lack of relevant paperwork.
Following the rejection, the family took her to Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a temple known for offering free cremation services to those in need.
Medical Condition and Aftermath
Immediately after being discovered alive, Sakulkoo was rushed to Bang Yai Hospital. According to reports from Thairath, the nation’s best-selling newspaper, medical professionals determined she was suffering from hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), which likely contributed to her unresponsive state that mimicked death.
She was treated and stabilized before being released back into the care of her brother.
In a surprising comment to local media regarding the discovery that his sister was still alive, Mr. Sakulkoo reportedly stated he felt “indifferent.”
Temple manager Pairat Soodthoop confirmed that the temple would cover the costs of the woman’s medical expenses following the miraculous event.
