5-Month-Old Baby Found Dead in Chao Phraya River
A five-month-old baby reported missing by his mother in the middle of the night was found dead floating in the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya province, about one kilometer from their riverside home. The infant showed no signs of physical trauma, but the mother's account of a torn mosquito net and the raised sleeping platform due to prior flooding has left investigators with unanswered questions. Police are questioning the mother and grandmother, and the mother has sworn an oath to tell the truth, while the cause of death awaits forensic results.
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on October 23, 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Thitikorn Chulawanit, Deputy Inspector of Bang Pa-in Police Station, received a report of a child's body floating in the Chao Phraya River near the ore pier in Moo 10, Ban Len Subdistrict, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Patrol officers and forensic police coordinated with the Ayutthaya Ruam Jai Association to provide support.
The deceased, a five-month-old boy nicknamed "Nong Luk Kaew," showed no signs of physical assault. He was wearing a padded jacket and pants. Investigation revealed the mother had reported the child missing around 11:00 p.m. on October 22. The discovery site was about one kilometer from the family's residence.
The 36-year-old mother stated that around 11:00 p.m. on October 22, she put the baby to sleep after feeding him milk, then fell asleep herself. She woke when her mother heard the baby crying, but found the child missing from the bed and the mosquito net torn. She suspects the baby may have fallen into the water.
The mother added their house sits on the Chao Phraya riverbank. Previously, floodwaters rose about one meter into the home, so they raised the sleeping area to near window level. However, she is unsure how the baby could have left the sleeping area despite checking the surroundings.
Initially, Bang Pa-in investigators summoned the mother and grandmother for additional statements to gather details from before the disappearance through the body's discovery, while verifying witnesses and evidence and addressing remaining questions.
Reports indicate before questioning began, investigators had the mother raise her hands and swear before a statue of Thao Wessuwan placed in the interrogation room, affirming she would tell the whole truth about the incident to aid the investigation.
Officials have not yet concluded the cause of death, pending forensic examination results to determine how the child died and what events occurred before the body was found in the Chao Phraya River.
