Missing 7-year-old found safe after 29 hours, 30km from home

KALASIN — 19 October 2026, A seven-year-old boy who went missing from a rice field in Kalasin has been found alive after about 29 hours, some 30 kilometres away in neighbouring Mukdahan province. He was taken to hospital for a medical examination after being found exhausted and frightened.

Thanaphon Jaikumkao, known as “Nong Boss,” disappeared on the afternoon of 18 October while accompanying his grandparents to a rice field in Ban Kut Bot, Song Plueai subdistrict, Khao Wong district, Kalasin.

Nearly 200 officials, rescue workers and volunteers had joined an extensive search that continued into the following day.

At around 18:30 on 19 October, Kalasin MP Chanaewut Uttho, Khao Wong district chief Lt. Thawatchai Hemwang and Khao Wong police superintendent Pol. Col. Somchai Phukongchana were informed that a boy matching the description had been found wandering alone near a stream in Ban Kaeng Nang, Kok Tum subdistrict, Dong Luang district, Mukdahan.

Rescue workers took photographs of the child and sent them to the search coordination centre in Khao Wong. His family confirmed his identity, bringing an emotional end to the search.

The boy’s grandfather, Preeda Khrueasri, and the Muen Hin rescue team travelled to Mukdahan to bring him back to Kalasin. He was then taken to Khao Wong Hospital for medical checks and assessment of his psychological condition.

According to his grandfather, the boy said a dog had grabbed his blue flip-flop and run away. He chased after it, losing track of his direction before wandering into the forest and continuing on foot until he reached the stream in Mukdahan.

Chanaewut said local residents who were out catching fish found the boy. He reportedly told them he was lost and hungry and asked for food. The residents took him to the assistant village headman’s home and alerted authorities.

The MP thanked officials, police, rescue teams and local volunteers for their efforts. He also urged the public to give the child privacy and time to recover emotionally, rather than disturbing him as he returns to normal life.

Although the boy was found safely, police have not ruled out any possible explanation for how he travelled such a long distance. Authorities said they would gather further information and consider the results of his medical examination before drawing conclusions about the circumstances of his disappearance.