A Thai family is reeling in shock after their 65-year-old relative—believed to have died—was found alive inside a coffin just seconds before she was to be cremated at a temple in Bangkok.
The woman, identified as Chonthirat Sakulkoo, had been bedridden for two years and recently fell gravely ill. According to her brother, Mongkol, her condition suddenly worsened two days earlier, leaving her unresponsive. With the family unable to secure immediate hospital admission due to missing documents, they proceeded with funeral preparations after being informed by local officials that she had passed away.
Armed with paperwork signed by the village headman, the family transported her body to Wat Rat Prakongtham Temple to perform cremation rites.
Knocking From Inside the Coffin
Temple officials narrated that just as they were preparing for the cremation, they heard faint but distinct knocking sounds coming from within the coffin.
Pairat Sudthup, the temple treasurer, was explaining the need for a formal death certificate when staff members noticed movement.
Stunned, they rushed to open the coffin. Inside, Chonthirat lay on a white cloth-lined interior, dressed in a floral sleeveless dress and wrapped in a light orange shawl. She appeared weak but alive—slowly lifting her hands and slightly turning her head.
“She opened her eyes and tried to knock again. She must have been trying to alert us for some time,” one staff member recalled.
Medical Mystery
Emergency responders were called immediately, and Chonthirat was taken to a nearby hospital.
Doctors later confirmed that she had not suffered cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. Instead, she had experienced severe hypoglycemia—dangerously low blood sugar capable of causing deep unresponsiveness that can mimic death.
After receiving treatment, her condition stabilized, and she regained strength and consciousness.
A Near-Tragedy With a Miraculous Ending
The incident has sparked widespread discussion in Thailand about medical verification procedures and the risks of premature burial or cremation.
For Chonthirat’s family, the ordeal has shifted from grief to overwhelming relief.
Mongkol, who had cared for his sister for three years, said he was terrified when he realized how close they came to losing her alive—but grateful that temple staff intervened.
Social media videos capturing the dramatic moment have gone viral, drawing global attention and prompting calls for improved medical assessments in rural communities.
