The search continues for six villagers who got lost in the forest near Pha Li Waterfall, Phu Pha Lek National Park in Kalasin Province, while their relatives wait with hope.
According to Mr. Wirat Ratchari, District Chief of Somdet, Kalasin Province, it was reported that six villagers from Ban Na Makuea, Village No. 12, Na Makuea Subdistrict, Sahatsakhan District, Kalasin Province, went to forage (mushroom picking) near Pha Li Waterfall, Phu Pha Lek National Park, Ban Khok Kwang, Village No. 10, Maha Chai Subdistrict, Somdet District, Kalasin Province, but got lost in the forest area of Phu Pha Lek National Park on 5 August 2023. The group consisted of five women and one man.
They are 1. Mrs. Thongsorn, 58 years old; 2. Mrs. Nujii, 43; 3. Mr. Somporn, 60, the eldest brother; 4. Mrs. Joy, 47; 5. Mrs. Sawitree, 42; and 6. Mrs. Suphan, 49. All six lost individuals are related as family members.
In response, the Somdet District Chief ordered a joint search for the missing persons, involving the mayor of Maha Chai Subdistrict, Saeng Badan Police Station, Phu Pha Lek National Park officials, Metta Tham Foundation, Kalasin Volunteer Rescue Team with sniffer dogs, and heat-sensing drones. Occasional phone contact has been established with the lost group during the search.
This morning (6 Aug 2023), an update reported that the Somdet District Chief said search efforts continued throughout the night without locating the missing persons. Phone contact remains intermittent with poor signal due to darkness, rain, mountainous steep terrain, and stream areas.
The Somdet District Office has set up a command center at the Lam Chi Watershed Management Unit (responsible for watershed and community development in conservation forest areas), located within Phu Pha Lek National Park, Somdet District, Kalasin Province. The Kalasin Provincial Public Health Office and Somdet Hospital support the setup of a mobile medical unit.
However, as of 14:29, the missing persons have not yet been found. Search teams continue to mobilize all available resources intensively.