Newborn found abandoned in backpack at temple restroom

SAMUT SONGKHRAM — 19 September 2026, A newborn baby boy was found abandoned inside a backpack in a temple restroom in Samut Songkhram province, with his umbilical cord still attached, after a local fisherman heard cries coming from the darkened facility.

Pol. Lt. Phonanan Santivimon, deputy investigation inspector at Muang Samut Songkhram Police Station, was notified of the discovery at around 22:45 on 19 September and went to inspect the scene at Wat Si Satthatham in Khlong Khen subdistrict, Muang district, together with rescuers from the Sappharachain Samut Songkhram Foundation.

Inside a restroom behind the temple, officers found a newborn boy who appeared to have been recently delivered, with the umbilical cord still attached to his navel. The baby had been wrapped in a pink towel and placed inside a black backpack bearing the words “ULTRAMAN COSMOS.”

Rescuers provided initial assistance before coordinating with the emergency medical team from Somdet Phra Phutthalertla Hospital, which took the baby for further medical treatment.

Somchai Nilawat, 49, who discovered the baby, said he had gone out as usual to catch shrimp and fish. He first passed the restroom at around 22:15 and heard an unusual sound but did not initially suspect anything was wrong.

He continued fishing for about 30 minutes before returning along the same route. He said he could still hear what sounded like a baby crying.

Because the restroom was completely dark and had no light, Somchai decided to open the door to investigate. He was shocked to find the newborn boy wrapped in a towel and placed inside a school backpack decorated with Ultraman characters.

He immediately alerted police, who arrived to assist the baby.

Police said their initial investigation had not established who abandoned the child. They are considering several possibilities, including that the mother could be a local teenager, a migrant worker facing an unplanned pregnancy, or a woman who secretly gave birth and then left the baby out of fear of legal consequences.

Authorities said these possibilities remain unconfirmed.

Police are checking CCTV footage from nearby locations and along surrounding routes in an effort to identify the person who left the newborn at the temple. Investigators will question any suspect identified and proceed according to the law.