Photo: Rescue Sawang Association Ruamjai

 

By Adam Judd

 

Khon Kaen, Thailand-An elderly British expat was rescued this afternoon after spending three whole days and nights in the jungle in the Khao Suan Kwang district in the Phu Kao Phu Phan Kham mountain range.

 

Mr. Barry Leonard Weller, 73, was found by Ubon Rattana police and rescue workers after days of searching the dense jungle in Khao Suan Kwang.

 

The rescue team was dispatched after the significant other of Mr. Weller, Tawee Chaisaenrit, 49, reported him missing on the evening of August 31st, 2021, to Ubon Rattana police. Mr. Weller had reportedly left on his motorbike, telling Tawee that he was going hiking, which was not unusual. Mr. Weller, according to his own statements and Tawee’s, often went hiking in the area alone and enjoyed nature.

 

Tawee became concerned when he did not return home at night, as usual, stating that Mr. Weller did not speak Thai and although in good shape was an older man as a reason for filing a police report.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/09/03/elderly-british-ex-pat-rescued-after-spending-three-days-lost-in-the-jungle-in-khon-kaen/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-09-04

 

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Glad to hear this news.

And another happy ending for Mr. Weller. Glad to read it.

 

Says he was 49 in UK tabloids.thought it was odd so checked here

15 minutes ago, gungadin1 said:

Says he was 49 in UK tabloids.thought it was odd so checked here

Why would that be odd?

Anyway, happy to hear Mr. Weller is alright.

long pants and strong footwear would be better attire.. lets hope they were in his pack.. happy result.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

he rescue team was dispatched after the significant other of Mr. Weller, Tawee Chaisaenrit, 49, reported him missing on the evening of August 31st, 2021, to Ubon Rattana police. Mr. Weller had reportedly left on his motorbike, telling Tawee that he was going hiking, which was not unusual. Mr. Weller, according to his own statements and Tawee’s, often went hiking in the area alone and enjoyed nature.

Maybe next time invest in a GPS or mobile phone with the home location saved.

They may have rescued him from a jungle but as almost no one is wearing a mask there, not surprised if he catch the bug from one of them...

Sleeping with the critters could be a little scary…

27 minutes ago, tandor said:

long pants and strong footwear would be better attire.. lets hope they were in his pack.. happy result.

We’ll, evidently they weren’t 

Ends well, that's good. Next time think of something to help you keep track of your hike eh?

14 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

Ends well, that's good. Next time think of something to help you keep track of your hike eh?

A smart phone can be useful. there are some good walking apps that record your progress, so you're able to retrace your path if necessary. Trouble is you're not always able to get a signal when you head for the hills.

 

Well done Mr. Weller for keeping your cool in a difficult situation and kudos to the team that rescued him.

 

This incident does emphasis the importance of always letting someone know where you're going when you take off on a jaunt.

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

They may have rescued him from a jungle but as almost no one is wearing a mask there, not surprised if he catch the bug from one of them...

It's a covid free zone. ????????

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The rescue team was dispatched after the significant other of Mr. Weller, Tawee Chaisaenrit, 49,

Another reason to have someone 'significant' in your life. I'm a bit confused on how he lost his shoes, or did he go trekking without any?

They must not be scared of all the covid ridden bugs by the lack of mask wearing!! ????????

No boots or shoes is a bit odd. If I’m hiking in jungle or mountains I want boots with good ankle support….if you’ve ever really twisted your ankle it is so painful you cannot walk. A good Garmin GPS you can put in waypoints and track back the same route. Obviously hasn’t got into difficulties before now. Hats off to the Thais who found him and rescued him…..probably saved his life.

corvid can not fly so jungle not good place for it at least happy man had big face mask to keep him warm, good ending

Silly old <deleted>.

2 minutes ago, JRG23 said:

Silly old <deleted>.

Hey..I get lost at Central Westgate give him a break

21 minutes ago, johnarth said:

corvid can not fly ... 

Corvids are generally very good fliers.

well done, searchers

Mad dogs and Englishmen........... ????

Glad to hear this news but I do wish somebody could point to Mr Weller so that we know which one he is.

1 hour ago, Moonlover said:

Trouble is you're not always able to get a signal when you head for the hills.

Even a handheld GPS can give false information if in a valley, in the rain. Ask me how I know!

GPS tech guy (Magellan) told me the signal bounces off the wet leaves. Or rather he asked me if I was in a valley and was it raining . After I called to discover why my unit was giving apparent false readings.

Tough cookie!

 

Another reason to always carry a smart phone with you when you leave the house.

73 years old, could not speak Thai and going hiking alone? That's a formula for disaster.

 

He's lucky this time, shouldn't do it again.

1 hour ago, Mansell said:

No boots or shoes is a bit odd.

Its very common, I did jungle training in Belize as a young member of the guards many decades ago. First comes dehydration then heat stroke. Then you are in a spiral, one of the signs is you start throwing away everything, kit, boots, clothes, everything that adds to the body overheating drives you mad. I actually had it its quite scary, like being on drugs and out of body experiences.

When somebody chooses to do this kind of thing they should first consider that  they will have to depend on others to help them out if things go wrong.

Know why the "wife" was crying with happiness.  Her sugar daddy was found!

Its a good result that Mr. Weller was found, and is in good health.

However, Mr. Weller, if you are reading this, maybe its a good idea to go Hiking with somebody else at the tender age of 73.

For your own Safety

Next time you may not so anywhere near so lucky. These Jungle area are a very dangerous place to be on your own.