Villagers Find Man Missing For Months Dead in Pickup in Buriram Pond

Villagers in Buriram province discovered the body of a 51-year-old man inside his pickup truck after a falling water level exposed the vehicle’s roof in a village pond. The man, identified as Mr Boonprakob Chuethong, had been reported missing since late 2025. His body was found in a decomposed state inside the submerged vehicle.

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The discovery was made on 4 April 2026 in Nong Tad Dam village, Moo 3, Yoei Prasat Subdistrict, Nong Ki District. Rescue teams, assisted by local residents, used a backhoe to retrieve an Isuzu single-cab pickup truck with a metal roof frame from a pond about four metres deep. Villagers had spotted what appeared to be a car roof emerging as water levels dropped due to hot, dry weather.

Mr Khun Karaket, 58, who first noticed the object on the evening of 3 April, said he became suspicious after seeing the shape in the water. He informed relatives of Mr Boonprakob, as the man had been missing for several months. Family members arrived and confirmed the vehicle likely belonged to him due to its distinctive metal roof frame, before contacting rescue services.

Ms Kanyanat Duangnil, 45, said her brother had disappeared on 22 December 2025. She reported him missing to Nong Ki Police Station but did not pursue the case intensively, as he often travelled for work and stayed away. However, after months without contact despite repeated attempts to reach him, the family grew concerned.

Authorities found Mr Boonprakob’s body lying on its side inside the vehicle, with advanced decomposition and some parts reduced to bones. The pond had previously been full following the rainy season, which likely kept the vehicle submerged and hidden. Only the recent drop in water levels revealed the roof structure, leading to the discovery.

The family believes Mr Boonprakob may have been driving home at night while intoxicated and accidentally drove into the pond without being noticed. There were no immediate reports of foul play, though authorities are expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

ThaiRath reported that officials have not announced further investigative steps but are likely to review the case in light of the discovery. The body has been recovered for standard procedures, and the family is expected to proceed with funeral arrangements.

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 6 Apr 2026