Culture
70-Year-Old Man Survives Five-Hour Ordeal in Chonburi Well
A 70-year-old man was rescued after falling into a five-meter-deep well in Chonburi, where he remained trapped for over five hours.
On September 15, 2026, rescue workers from the Sawang Het Ban Thung Hiang unit in Bo Thong, Chonburi, successfully rescued a 70-year-old man identified as Mr. Suriyan. According to Khaosod Online, the incident occurred in a dense, overgrown grassy area in Wat Suwan sub-district.
Mr. Suriyan had been clearing grass in the area during the afternoon when he accidentally fell into a concrete well measuring 1.5 meters wide and five meters deep. He remained trapped in the water from approximately 1:00 PM until his rescue at 6:30 PM. The victim reported that he survived by clinging to tree branches that had fallen into the well, which prevented him from drowning or sustaining severe injuries. By the time rescuers arrived, he was exhausted and soaked but conscious.
For residents and travelers, this incident highlights the potential hazards of navigating overgrown or unmaintained rural areas in Thailand, where hidden structures like old wells may be obscured by vegetation. While Mr. Suriyan attributed his survival to the protective influence of Luang Pu Thuat, a revered Buddhist monk, the physical reality of his survival was aided by the presence of debris within the well. It remains to be confirmed whether local authorities will take steps to secure or mark the well to prevent future accidents in the area.
