Miraculous Escape After Car Plunges Off Bridge in Roi Et

Picture from responders.

A miraculous escape occurred in Roi Et province on the morning of 4 April, when a car veered off the side of a bridge ramp and plunged into a dry canal. Despite the severity of the crash, all four occupants survived, with minor injuries. 

The family stated they believe their survival was thanks to the protective blessings of revered Buddhist monks.

At approximately 07:45, local police in Thawatchaburi received reports of a car crash on Highway 2044, which connects Roi Et and Phon Thong, near a bridge over a dry canal at Ban Mue, close to a gas station. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered a black Honda City, which had driven into the dry canal. The car had suffered damage, but remarkably, all four occupants were still alive and only suffered minor injuries. The driver, a 32-year-old woman, who had just finished her shift at Roi Et Hospital, sustained abrasions and chest pain. A 73-year-old woman suffered a laceration to her left hand, and two men, also in the vehicle, were only slightly injured. All were taken to Roi Et Hospital for medical treatment.

According to Supharak Srithongdaeng, the 28-year-old brother of the driver, the family attributes their survival to the spiritual protection of two influential monks, Luang Phu Thongma Thawaro of Wat Sawang Tha Si in Roi Et and Luang Phu Sila Sirichanto of Thammayut Temple in Kalasin. The family has long revered these monks, who are currently leading a nationwide project to build the “Stupa of Non Sao Ae” in Kalasin, a site devoted to Buddhist worship.

Supharak explained that he always carries amulets of both monks with him, which reinforced his belief that their blessings played a role in the family’s miraculous escape. Despite the car’s crashing off the bridge, it did not hit any structures like guardrails or lamp posts. Furthermore, the car’s safety features likely contributed to minimizing injuries.

The family’s father, Thanabat Srithongdaeng, added that the crash was likely caused by driver fatigue. His daughter, the driver, had been awake for her hospital shift prior to the incident.

-- 2025-04-05