Laos Woman Found Dead on Bus in Mukdahan

A 29-year-old Lao woman was found dead on a long-distance bus travelling from Bangkok to Mukdahan on the morning of 16 May 2026, shocking passengers and crew aboard the vehicle. Police in Mukdahan province said the woman had earlier complained of motion sickness before she was later discovered unresponsive on the floor near the rear seats of the bus.

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Police Lieutenant Colonel Kittiwat Khonhan, an investigator at Mueang Mukdahan Police Station, received the report at around 7am after the Bangkok-Mukdahan coach arrived at the Mukdahan bus terminal. Officers and doctors from Mukdahan Hospital attended the scene and found the woman, identified as Nang Porn Phanthirad, already dead.

Initial examinations indicated she had been dead for at least two hours before the bus reached its destination. Her body was found lying on the floor area near the back row of seats, with her 5 year old son sat next to her.

The 61-year-old bus driver told police the woman boarded the coach at Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal at 7.30pm on 15 May. She had been travelling with her son and was due to get off at Mukdahan Bus Terminal.

According to the driver, the bus stopped around 10 kilometres before reaching Mukdahan so he could attend to personal matters and inspect the vehicle. During the inspection, he noticed the woman lying on the floor and alerted emergency responders, who confirmed she had died. The driver then decided to continue to the bus terminal before notifying police.

A fellow Lao passenger said the woman had appeared unwell even before boarding in Bangkok. The passenger said she had told others she suffered from motion sickness and had asked for help buying food for her child.

The witness also said the woman had requested to sit nearby during the journey, but bus staff insisted passengers remain in their assigned seats. Several hours later, shortly before the coach reached Mukdahan, she was found dead.

Authorities said the exact cause of death has not yet been determined. Doctors at Mukdahan Hospital are conducting a full post-mortem examination to establish the cause.

ThaiRath reported that police said the woman’s relatives in Laos have already been informed of her death. Her body will be released to her family for religious rites once official procedures are completed.

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 17 May 2026