Alzheimer’s-stricken driver saved by police, son hits brakes on car ownership (video)

Police rescued a 73 year old Thai man suffering from Alzheimer‘s disease after he drove his sedan for over 100 kilometres and got lost. His son now plans to sell the car to prevent his father from danger.

Nithinan Sornsawat took to social media to search for his missing 73 year old father, Jong Sornsawat. The 43 year old explained that his father drove his red Toyota sedan from his home in Saraburi at 9am on Monday, May 29 to buy some spare parts for a motorcycle at a market but failed to return. Nithinan contacted Kaeng Koi Police Station for help

Thai netizens and police officers searched for Jong until an officer from Pra Jantakarm Police Station discovered Jong parked on the roadside in Prachin Buri province at 2pm on Tuesday, May 30. The officer recorded a video when meeting with Jong and posted it on social media. The officer said in the video…

“It is so far! You drove from Saraburi to Prachin Buri. I will buy food for you. Calm down. Don’t worry. I contacted your son already. He will pick you back home.”

Jong responded to the police saying…

“I came by myself, but I could not find a way back home. I forgot.”

A ThaiRath reporter visited Jong at his house yesterday. Jong appeared fresh and content. He shared with the reporter…

“I always drive, mostly to the market. I will never drive again. My children asked me to stop. I used to be a truck driver but now I stay at home and have a small garage near the grocery shop of my daughter-in-law. On that day, I drove the sedan to the market to buy a spare part for a customer’s motorcycle. I did not actually get lost, I just ended up in Prachin Buri. When I was a truck driver, I travelled everywhere and never got lost.”

Nithinan revealed to the media that this was the third time his father got lost while driving. However, the previous two incidents had been relatively minor, with Jong found in nearby areas. This time, the situation was more severe, as he had travelled over 100 kilometres from home.

Nithinan added that he and his older brother plan to sell the sedan to prevent the father from driving and getting lost.