The 65-year-old Thai woman, identified as Chonthirat Sakulkoo, was placed into a coffin and driven hundreds of miles to Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a Buddhist temple that performs cremations. Her brother, Mongkol Sakulkoo, said she had appeared to stop breathing two days earlier, which led him to assume she had died.
He also explained that she had been bedridden for nearly two years as her health continued to decline. In the days before the incident, her condition worsened to the point that she eventually became completely unresponsive.
According to reports, he took her to a hospital she had previously mentioned because she had wanted her organs donated. He hoped to carry out that wish as respectfully as possible.
However, when they arrived, hospital staff refused to accept her body due to the lack of an official death certificate. Without that legal documentation, they could not proceed with any donation process.
But the temple staff also refused to perform a cremation without a proper death certificate. They explained that they needed proof that her death had been recorded before they could move forward with any ceremony.
Soodthoop said: “I was a bit surprised, so I asked them to open the coffin, and everyone was startled. I saw her opening her eyes slightly and knocking on the side of the coffin.”
After realizing that Chonthirat was still alive, temple staff quickly assessed her condition. They provided immediate care before arranging for her to be taken to the hospital for proper treatment.
Soodthoop also shared that the temple would cover her medical costs, offering support after the frightening ordeal.
Thairath reported that when her brother was asked how he felt upon learning that his sister was still alive, he responded that he felt indifferent, which struck many readers as surprising given the circumstances.
