Scrap Collector Finds Newborn Baby Abandoned in Rayong Rubbish Bin
A scrap collector in Rayong discovered a newborn boy abandoned in a rubbish bin on September 3 after hearing the infant's cries; the baby was rescued alive and taken to hospital, with police now investigating to find the mother.
A scrap collector rescued a newborn boy who had been left inside a black plastic bag in a rubbish bin in Rayong after hearing the infant's faint cries in the early hours of September 3.
Meechok Siangyong, 50, was searching through roadside rubbish bins in a poorly lit area of Soi Phongdee, off Suan Pa Sirikit Road in Choeng Noen subdistrict, Mueang Rayong district, when he heard what sounded like hiccups and weak crying. He called a nearby resident, Nok Kaew Sukprasert, to help check the bin. When she opened the bag, she found the newborn alive, wrapped in a towel, with his umbilical cord reportedly wrapped twice around his neck.
Nok Kaew removed the baby from the bin, gave him initial care and contacted police and rescue workers. The infant, apparently healthy, was taken to Rayong Hospital for further treatment and care.
Rescuers from the Sawang Phonkuson Rayong Foundation, police and hospital medical staff later arrived at the scene. Mueang Rayong police are investigating and plan to check records of recent births at Rayong Hospital as they seek to identify the baby's mother.
Thailand does not have a safe-haven law allowing parents to anonymously surrender newborns. Women unable to care for a baby can seek help through hospital social workers or the 24-hour Social Assistance Centre on 1300, which can arrange temporary care, shelter and referrals for the formal adoption process. In a medical emergency, call 1669.
