Chiang Mai Monk Saves 300-kg Pig From Rising Flood
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in Chiang Mai, threatening the pen of Boonmee, a rescued pig weighing over 300 kilograms. Monk Phra Kru Ot led a rescue team that moved the animal to higher ground after an hour‑long effort. Boonmee was safely relocated, though it will remain in the temporary safe area until the floodwaters recede.
On October 5, 2069, Phra Kru Ot (Veerawat Veeravuddho) of Wat Jediy Luang Worawihan Temple in Chiang Mai, together with his team, received an alert from the animal care staff of the Yuwatree Rural Development Foundation in Mae Rim district that sudden flooding had struck the center after heavy rains. Water had surged into the enclosure housing Boonmee, the previously rescued pig. Concerned for the animal's safety as water levels rose, Phra Kru Ot and his team rushed to the scene. Moving Boonmee, which weighs over 300 kg, proved difficult amid the flooded pen; rescuers had to support and carefully shift the pig to higher ground, a process that lasted more than an hour. Although Boonmee showed little fear of water and appeared to enjoy splashing around, the rapidly increasing flood forced the team to expedite the relocation to avoid risk. Initially, Boonmee will remain in the temporary safe zone until the water recedes and the area dries, after which officials will consider returning it to its original pen. The operation underscores that during disasters, not only people but also animals—especially large ones—require urgent assistance, evacuation, and careful planning to ensure their safety.
