Man Found After Running Into Forest Over Marital Dispute

A woman identified as B (pseudonym) called police and rescue workers on September 21 asking for help finding her husband, Mac, who had run into Dong Kaeng Forest in Nong Khamar Subdistrict, Ku Muang District, Buriram Province, across from an ice factory, fearing he might be in danger. Over 10 rescue officials searched on foot but found no trace of him; his phone rang but he did not answer, heightening his wife's fears that he might attempt to harm himself. After many hours of continued search efforts, at approximately 14:00—more than five hours after his disappearance—Mac messaged rescue workers via Facebook saying he was still there but could not move and was unable to stand. After an intensive search mobilization, rescuers were able to reach him by phone, though he remained unable to get up. About 30 minutes later, they found Mac lying still and exhausted in the forest. Rescue workers provided first aid and he gradually regained consciousness.

Mac explained that he had only been upset with his wife and had walked into the forest, but then developed a headache and vision problems—as if something dark was blocking his sight—before losing consciousness. He said he would never do anything like this again and that his actions were purely the result of being upset with his wife.

Pittaya Duang Taram, zone leader for the Luang Udom Ku Muang Foundation rescue team, and Sutin Chum Saena, assistant zone leader, confirmed that although their officers had walked through the area multiple times, they had not found him. The forest covers more than 5,000 acres and is regularly visited by locals collecting forest products. They noted that similar incidents have occurred before in this area—people becoming lost and experiencing headaches and vision problems as if something were preventing them from leaving the forest.