A husband and wife have been missing in a durian orchard for four days without returning home. The husband was found dead, while the wife, who has Alzheimer's, is missing in the forest. Authorities and local villagers are collaborating in the search efforts.
On 22 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reports stated that at 14:00 on 21 Dec, the Den Chai Ruam Boon Rescue Center in Den Chai District, Phrae Province, received a report from Mr. Piya Kaskasem, village headman of Huai Rai Village 2, Huai Rai Subdistrict, Den Chai District, Phrae Province. He reported that Mr. Det, 73, and Mrs. Lan, 70, a husband and wife from Huai Rai, Den Chai District, had gone missing after leaving their home for a durian orchard in the forest of Nong Nam Khiao Village, Dan Na Kham Subdistrict, Mueang Uttaradit District, Uttaradit Province. Initial information indicated one death and one person missing. Rescue teams from Den Chai Ruam Boon, Dan Na Kham, and Mon Mai in Uttaradit were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Initial information revealed that the couple had left home for the durian orchard on 18 Dec 2025 GMT+7 but did not return. Relatives began searching in the orchard located in the forest area bordering Huai Rai Subdistrict, Den Chai District, and Village 12, Nong Nam Khiao, Chamtong Forest, Khun Singh, about 10 kilometers from the village. They found the body of Mr. Det, the husband, deceased in the orchard. However, Mrs. Lan, 70, the wife who suffers from Alzheimer's, remained missing, with her whereabouts unknown.
Authorities then contacted Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekphong Tun Kong, investigator at Mueang Uttaradit Police Station, and reported to Police Colonel Kraisit Phrompatima, chief of Mueang Uttaradit Police Station. They collaborated with the investigative team, a duty doctor from Uttaradit Hospital, and conducted a postmortem examination. The deceased was found lying on his back wearing a green shirt with a long-sleeve shirt over it, showing signs of bloating. It is estimated he had been dead for more than two days. No signs of homicide were found. At the durian orchard, a medicine container was found near the field, and Mr. Det’s vehicle was located with the driver's side door left open. The wife remained missing.
Interviews with local villagers familiar with the couple revealed that Mr. Det was known for his generosity, often sharing durians with neighbors and friends when the fruit was in season. He was also hardworking and frequently checked on the durian orchard, becoming well acquainted with the local community. When he took his wife to the orchard, he would have her sit in the car and provide drinks and snacks, because Mrs. Lan suffered from Alzheimer's and would be unable to find her way back if she left the car. Mr. Det kept her inside the vehicle to prevent her from wandering off.
Preliminary examinations by authorities and the duty doctor found no evidence of assault or homicide. The rescue team transported the body back home for the family to conduct funeral rites according to the law. As for Mrs. Lan, who remains missing, rescue personnel and villagers conducted extensive searches throughout the orchard but were unsuccessful. The search was suspended at 17:30 due to lack of lighting equipment and the team’s unfamiliarity with the forest terrain. On 22 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the search will resume with assistance from local administrative officials and relatives to continue looking for Mrs. Lan, whose location and condition remain unknown.