Man hospitalised after ring trapped on penis in Udon Thani

A 41-year-old man was rushed to Udon Thani Hospital on 21 July after a brass ring became tightly trapped at the base of his penis, causing swelling and inflammation.

Rescue volunteers took the man, identified as Supachai, to the emergency department at Udon Thani Hospital after a local charity foundation was unable to remove the ring because it had no staff or equipment available.

The Rom Pho Thong radio centre at Udon Thani City Police Station was notified at about 5pm by officials from the Udon Thani Thammasat Foundation. They said the injured man had walked in seeking help to cut off the ring.

Ring caused severe swelling

Volunteers from the Udon Sawang Metta Tham Foundation found a brass ring, estimated at size 60-62, tightly constricting the base of Supachai's penis.

The obstruction had caused significant swelling at the tip of the penis, with responders concerned that restricted blood flow could lead to further injury or infection. He was promptly transferred to Udon Thani Hospital for the ring to be removed and for treatment.

Supachai said he was homeless and slept at Bus Terminal 1 in Udon Thani municipality. He initially said a friend had put the ring on him while he was asleep as a prank, and that he was unable to remove it when pain and swelling began.

However, Panya Khuna, 28, an official at the Udon Thani Thammasat Foundation, gave a different account of what Supachai had told him.

Panya said the man arrived holding his groin and asking for help because of pain. After Supachai showed him the injury, Panya saw the brass ring tightly fitted around the base of the penis.

Conflicting accounts of how it happened

According to Panya, Supachai said he had put the ring on himself, apparently while his penis was flaccid. The ring then became too tight as swelling developed, preventing its removal.

The incident is a reminder that rings or other constricting objects placed around genitalia can quickly become a medical emergency. Restricted circulation can cause swelling and tissue damage, and attempting to remove a trapped item at home may worsen an injury.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Join the discussion?

23 July 2026