In a startling incident that unfolded at a Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Bangkok, a 65-year-old woman who was presumed dead and about to be cremated was discovered alive after temple staff heard faint knocking coming from inside her coffin.
The Moment of Discovery
Pairat Soodthoop, the general manager of Wat Rat Prakhong Tham temple, described being "startled" when he heard the unexpected sounds emanating from the coffin. According to his account to the Associated Press, Mr. Soodthoop immediately requested that the coffin be opened, where he made the incredible discovery.
"She was opening her eyes slightly and knocking on the side of the coffin," Mr. Soodthoop revealed, adding his belief that "she must have been knocking for quite some time" before being heard.
Family's Long Journey for Cremation
The woman's brother explained that local officials had informed him his sister had passed away. The family had traveled an extensive distance of nearly 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Phitsanulok province to the Bangkok temple for what they believed would be her final rites.
However, a critical detail emerged during preparations - the brother did not possess an official death certificate. As Mr. Soodthoop attempted to explain the necessary procedures to obtain the document, the faint knocking sounds began, ultimately preventing a tragic outcome.
Medical Explanation and Immediate Response
Once temple staff confirmed the woman was indeed alive, the temple's abbot directed that she be taken to hospital immediately. Medical examination later revealed the woman had been suffering from severe hypoglycaemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels.
According to local reports, doctors ruled out more severe conditions like respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. The woman's brother disclosed that his sibling had been bedridden for two years, and as her health deteriorated further, she had appeared to stop breathing on Saturday, leading the family to believe she had passed away.
This miraculous discovery at the Buddhist temple serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of proper medical certification before proceeding with final rites, potentially saving the woman from being cremated alive.
