Pattaya —
A postman miraculously survived after falling into an 8-meter-deep abandoned well in Pattaya and being rescued by a passing rider
At 9:00 AM on September 7th, 2024, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation received a report of a man who had fallen into an abandoned well near the entrance of Soi Khao Talo 11, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province. After coordinating with local police, the rescue volunteers immediately responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, the rescue teams found an abandoned well located about 5 meters from the roadside. The well was around 8 meters deep, equivalent to a 2-3 story building. At the bottom of the well, the rescuers found Mr. Somwang Khonkaen, a 40-year-old postman, who was in a state of exhaustion. He was shirtless, covered in dirt, and standing in water up to his chest.
The rescue teams used a crane to lower a sling into the well and pulled Mr. Somwang to safety in less than 10 minutes. They then administered first aid before taking him to a local hospital for further medical evaluation.
Mr. Somwang recounted that at around midnight the previous night, he was riding his motorcycle home while under the influence of alcohol. He stopped on the side of the road to relieve himself in the bushes but accidentally fell into the deep, abandoned well.
Fortunately, there was water and mud at the bottom, which cushioned his fall and prevented any serious injuries. Mr. Somwang shouted for help for several hours but was not heard. After spending nearly 8 hours in the well, a passerby finally heard his cries in the morning and called for help, leading to his miraculous rescue.
Ms. Tuktata Sawaddee, a 41-year-old ride-hailing driver for Bolt and the good Samaritan who discovered Mr. Somwang, explained that she was waiting for a passenger nearby when she heard someone calling for help. She searched for the source of the voice and, upon peeking into the well, saw a man trapped at the bottom. Shocked at first, she quickly regained her composure and immediately called the rescuers for assistance.
Nearby resident Mr. A (name withheld upon request), commented that Mr. Somwang was likely not from the area, as most locals are aware of the abandoned well and avoid it. The community has long warned children not to play near the well, and residents have tried to cover it to prevent accidents. The land and well have reportedly been neglected by local authorities for decades. After this incident, locals are urging officials to properly cover the well to avoid future accidents.
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