On the morning of March 22, 2025, Mr. Charudech Pansutnoi, also known as “Shell,” a volunteer with the Chalawan Phichit Rescue Association, received an urgent call about a man trapped in a well in Tambon Tha Bua, Amphoe Pho Thale, Phichit Province.
Upon arrival, rescuers found “Mr. Tum,” an electricity meter reader, lying injured at the bottom of a 15-20 meter artesian well in the middle of a rice field. He was still conscious and frantically called for help, warning that a cobra was near him. In desperation, he pleaded for a stick to fend off the snake.
The rice field owner quickly located a stick and threw it down for Mr. Tum to defend himself. Meanwhile, Mr. Charudech bravely rappelled down into the well to carry out the rescue. After carefully securing the injured man, the team successfully hoisted him out of the well and transported him to Bang Mun Nak Hospital.
Doctors later confirmed that Mr. Tum had suffered two broken legs but miraculously avoided a cobra bite. The dramatic rescue highlights the courage and quick response of the Chalawan rescue team, ensuring that what could have been a fatal accident ended in survival.
