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Woman discovered alive in coffin at Thai temple before cremation
A 65-year-old Thai woman believed dead was found alive inside her coffin at a Buddhist temple near Bangkok on Tuesday, just before her scheduled cremation, temple officials confirmed.
The woman's faint knocking from within the sealed coffin startled staff at Wat Rat Prakhong Tham temple, prompting them to open it, according to temple manager Pairat Soodthoop. "She was opening her eyes slightly and knocking on the side," he told the Associated Press. "She must have been knocking for quite some time."
Family unaware of survival; lacked death certificate
The woman's brother had been informed by local officials that his sister had died, though the temple had no death certificate on file. As Soodthoop attempted to guide the brother through the certification process, staff heard the knocking.
The family had traveled nearly 500 km (311 miles) from Phitsanulok province for the cremation, believing the woman-bedridden for two years-had passed away on Saturday after her breathing appeared to stop.
Medical diagnosis points to hypoglycemia
Temple abbot Phra Maha Wutthichai ordered the woman rushed to hospital upon discovery. Doctors later determined she had suffered severe hypoglycemia-a critical drop in blood sugar-rather than respiratory or cardiac failure, local reports stated.
"She was in a deep state of unconsciousness, but vital signs were still present," a hospital source told reporters.
Investigation into misdiagnosis underway
Authorities are reviewing how the woman's condition was misinterpreted as death. The incident has raised concerns over protocols for verifying deaths, particularly in cases involving elderly or chronically ill individuals.
The temple has not disclosed the woman's current condition, though family members reportedly remain at her bedside.
