Gran’s drowning attempt thwarted by her strong swimming ability

An 81 year old granny from the Baan Pom sub-district in Mueng Ayutthaya district tried to kill herself by drowning yesterday because she felt a burden on her family. But her attempted suicide failed when she was fished out of the Chao Phraya River at 7am by a fish farm owner – four hours and 20 kilometres after she took the plunge from one district to another district in Ayutthaya province in central Thailand.

The kindly fish farm owner helped the old woman get a hospital health check before staff sent her home in the Baan Pom sub-district in Mueng Ayutthaya district.

The woman, known as Grandma Ree in Thai media, admitted she didn’t accidentally fall into the river at 3am and that she tried to commit suicide because she had many health problems and didn’t want to be a burden to her family.

However, things didn’t go as planned. The old woman said she tried to drown herself but the water flow pushed her along the river until she came across a fish cage and held onto it until the owner of the fish farm fished her out.

The Chief Executive of Baan Pom Sub-district Office, Apichart Sooksomboon, told the media that it was unbelievable that the grandma survived.

Apichart made public that the water stream is very strong at this time of the morning. He added that the grandma swam past many dangerous spots, such as whirlpools near Sanam Chai Temple, Phanan Choeng Temple, Ayothaya Bridge, and the area where the Pasak River meets the Chao Phraya River.

Her daughter informed the media that her mother was healthy even though she had many health problems. She says she woke up yesterday morning and couldn’t find her mother. She and her neighbours looked for her everywhere and even went down to the river because her mother had revealed her suicide plan before.

The daughter said she and her neighbours even plunged into the river near their houses but couldn’t find her. She added that she is very happy her mother was rescued and is still in good health.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.

SOURCE: Matichon | Khaosod | Kapook