Dr Song speaks out: He was kidnapped for ransom in Africa for 25 days

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Cap:  I was saved by...

 

Dr Nopparat Rattanaworah - better known as Dr Song - who was kidnapped by an armed group in Africa has been speaking to Daily News and other Thai media about his ordeal.

 

Dr Song was travelling between Burkina Faso and Mali when he heard gunshots.

 

There was a man pointing a gun.

 

He was ordered out of the vehicle and onto his knees and blindfolded and tied up.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

He was taken on an eight hour journey into the countryside through jungles, corn fields and small villages. He had no idea where he was headed.

 

He was given a mat. He would sleep under trees in the day to escape the sunlight having to move as the sun's rays moved. He was in a small tent at night.

 

He said he was never assaulted. He lived mostly on plain rice if he couldn't get anything better to go with it. 

He said it was stressful but he always believed he would get away. None of his captors spoke about money for ransom to him. 

 

Eventually he managed to convince the chief of the captors that he was just a humble doctor travelling the world, not a rich businessman.

 

The chief allowed him to call his mother and French Fries, his girlfriend.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

French Fries proved very helpful in helping to secure his release - mostly through What's App negotiations.

He was dumped in the deep jungle and told to find his way back.

 

Dr Song said there was not much point in trying to get back at his captors.

 

He had no idea who they were or how to go about finding them.

 

He'd just carry on touring the world and put it behind him. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-10-28

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[greenmonkey]

French Fries!? ????????????

[topt]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr Song was travelling between Burkina Faso and Mali when he heard gunshots.

Why would anyone go there for tourism - if that is what he was?

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

He was taken on an eight hour journey into the countryside through jungles, corn fields and small villages. He had no idea where he was headed.

How did he see all this if he was blindfolded?

asking for a friend.