Delivery Driver Returns to Forest for Ritual After GPS-Assisted Ordeal
A delivery driver lost in a forest near Nakhon Ratchasima after following faulty GPS directions returned two days later with family to perform a spirit-appeasing ritual, during which a large tree suddenly collapsed nearby.
A 30-year-old delivery driver named Krailas attempted to use a navigation app shortcut to reach his girlfriend's house in Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, but ended up lost in a ravine near Khao Pradu Community Forest in Crocodile Stone subdistrict. He reported encountering the same mysterious stranger twice who gave him incorrect directions hundreds of meters apart, until his vehicle became stuck in a pit. In the darkness, a shadowy figure ran circles around his car and attempted to open the driver's door, but Krailas managed to call his girlfriend for help in the early morning of July 24.
On July 26 at noon, Krailas returned to the site with his mother, relatives, and girlfriend to perform a traditional apology and spirit-calling ritual. The family brought offerings including a pork head, boiled chicken, nine types of fruit, betel nut, tobacco, and sweet water to appease the spirits they believed inhabited the area—a tiger spirit, a silver tamarind spirit, and a golden tamarind spirit. However, during the ceremony, a large wild tamarind tree approximately 10 meters tall that had been damaged by previous forest fires suddenly collapsed just meters away from where the ritual was taking place, causing the two mothers present to flee in panic.
Author officials investigated and determined the tree fell due to fire damage to its base, not from an elephant or other cause. Krailas explained he felt obligated to fulfill a vow he made during his initial ordeal—promising to offer the pork head and boiled chicken if he escaped safely. After consulting a fortune teller who advised him to complete the ritual within three days, he proceeded with the ceremony. He believes the tree's collapse during the ritual was a sign or manifestation of spiritual power affirming the reality of his earlier frightening encounter. Authorities are currently working with the navigation app company to correct the faulty GPS routing that led to the incident.
