In a surprising incident in Thailand, a woman startled staff at a temple by moving inside her coffin as she was brought in for cremation.
Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, located near Bangkok, shared a video of the event on Facebook. In the clip, a 65-year-old woman is seen in a white coffin, moving her arms and head, much to the shock of the temple workers. Her brother had transported her from Phitsanulok to be cremated after he believed she had passed away.
According to the temple’s manager, Pairat Soodthoop, the brother heard a faint knock coming from the coffin. When he asked the staff to open it, everyone was taken aback to see the woman slightly opening her eyes and knocking on the side. “I was a bit surprised,” he noted. “She must have been knocking for quite some time.”
The woman had been bedridden for two years. Recently, her health had worsened, and she seemed unresponsive for two days. Believing she had died, her brother placed her in the coffin and traveled almost 500 kilometers (about 300 miles) to a hospital in Bangkok, hoping she could fulfill her wish to donate her organs. However, when they arrived, the hospital refused admission because they lacked an official death certificate.
When the family approached the temple, they sought a cremation service, but the lack of that document led to a refusal. Just as Pairat was advising on how to obtain a death certificate, they heard the knocking from the coffin. The temple staff quickly assessed her and rushed her to a nearby hospital.
In a remarkable turn of events, the abbot of the temple offered to cover her medical expenses. This case raises important questions about health care access and the processes surrounding death certification in Thailand. In many countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were delays and challenges in obtaining such certificates, highlighting the need for better systems in place.
Statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Health show that over 60% of families experience difficulty accessing medical services during critical times. This incident sheds light on the importance of clear communication and support systems for families dealing with severe health crises.
As users shared the video on social media, reactions ranged from astonishment to joy. Many expressed relief that the woman was alive, while others recognized the broader implications for health services. This story is a reminder of life’s fragility and the unexpected twists it can take.
For further insights into organ donation in Thailand, you can explore reports from the Thailand Organ Donation Center.


















