Search Underway for Missing 74-Year-Old Man with Diabetes Who Disappeared

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

A 74-year-old man suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure has been missing for two days after venturing alone into the forested hills near his home to gather wood for making tool handles.

Mr Chit, a resident of Ban Nong Pao Pi village in Sam Roi Yot district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, left home on the morning of 4 June to climb Huai Ta Chit Hill in Kui Buri National Park. He had reportedly gone to cut maha phrom wood, which he regularly uses to craft hoe handles for sale. According to his family, he usually returns home by evening, but on this occasion, he failed to do so.

The disappearance triggered a large-scale search involving over 50 individuals, including park rangers, local officials, police officers from Sam Roi Yot Police Station, village leaders, volunteers, rescue personnel from Sawang Methee Thammasathan Foundation, and concerned villagers.

The initial search found a cloth shoulder bag belonging to Mr Chit on the ground. Inside were food items including rice, bottled water, bread and snacks. Fearing he might return to the location, the bag was left untouched. Search teams then swept the surrounding area for several hours but were unable to locate him and had to call off efforts temporarily due to nightfall.

The following day, the teams regrouped with fresh supplies and expanded their search radius from the spot where the bag was found. Despite nearly eight hours of continued searching, there was still no sign of the missing man. Authorities have since divided the operation into three separate teams to cover more ground and have appealed for additional support from other agencies.

Mr Chit’s daughter, Ms Walaya, told reporters that her father had gone to collect wood as usual, but this time did not return. “We’ve searched for two days and still haven’t found him,” she said. “His saw and knife are also missing, so we think he took them with him.”

She added that her father suffers from both diabetes and hypertension. His diabetes requires insulin injections administered to the abdomen rather than oral medication. “We are worried that he may have suffered a medical episode and is now unable to move or call for help,” she said tearfully. “Whatever has happened, we just want to find him, we’re praying that he is safe.”

Authorities and local volunteers have pledged to continue search efforts until Mr Chit is found.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-06-07