Lost and found: American’s wild Thai tale ends without a scratch
An American pensioner met with an unexpected adventure in northern Thailand but thanks to the swift action of Mae Hong Son’s Tourist Police, rescue volunteers, and local villagers, he made it out unscathed.
The 68 year old man from the United States, was saved from the depths of the Doi Thong forest near Ya Po village, and he couldn’t be more grateful.
The rescue mission kicked into gear at 9am, yesterday, January 8, when the Tourist Police in Pai, Mae Hong Son Province, received an urgent report about the missing foreign tourist, known only as Daniel. He had lost his way amidst the dense greenery of the Doi Thong forest while on a hike from Ya Po village.
With remarkable speed, the Thai rescue serviced coordinated efforts with Pai rescue volunteers and some good-hearted local villagers to launch a comprehensive search operation.
KhaoSod reported that the missing American was finally spotted by the dedicated team at 12.21pm, and they successfully guided him back to safety by 1.30pm.
Understandably, Daniel expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all involved in the search. Praising the police for their efficient response, he was especially thankful for the locals’ support and quick-thinking action.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Bunyapen, Inspector of Mae Hong Son Tourist Police, shed light on the situation, highlighting that tourists getting lost in the lush, sometimes treacherous forests around Pai is an ongoing issue.
“We strongly advise tourism operators to provide thorough information to tourists and warn them about the importance of traveling with experienced guides. Without proper guidance, such incidents tend to occur frequently.”
In this particular case, the quick mobilisation of resources and the cooperation between locals, police, and volunteers proved to be a life-saving combination. There’s no denying that Daniel’s adventurous hike took an unexpected turn, but it’s thanks to the dedicated people of Mae Hong Son that he could return to tell the tale.
Lt. Col. Bunyapen said that fortune had smiled upon him through the dedication of the rescue team but added that not everyone might be so lucky.
Daniel shakes hands with the police chief, thanking him for his efforts
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