A rescue volunteer prepared diligently, as the first rays of dawn filtered through the trees, to carefully remove the body of Kingor Rodsawai from the overnight bus in Chien Yai district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province. (Photo: Nujaree Rakrun)
On what seemed like an ordinary Monday morning, the passenger aboard a long-haul bus journeyed from the bustling heart of Bangkok to the southern town of Hat Yai, only to be enveloped in an extraordinary and unsettling discovery. The seemingly endless bus ride operated by Sri Siam Transport took a chilling turn when a nearby traveler discovered that the silent neighbor in the adjoining aisle seat was, in fact, dead and cold to the touch.
The tragic discovery was reported promptly to the Chien Yai police on Monday morning. The deceased passenger’s identity was soon unveiled through an ID card found with her—Kingor Rodsawai, a 57-year-old woman hailing from Songkhla province. She had boarded the bus on Sunday evening in Bangkok, embarking on what would turn out to be her last journey.
The realization of her death came about as the bus was nearing Ban Bolor in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Chien Yai district. Another passenger, seated by the window, intended to disembark, but was met with an unresponsive Kingor. Initially thinking she might be deep in sleep, upon closer inspection, the passenger felt the chill of her skin and immediately notified the driver of the grave situation.
The unnamed passenger, undoubtedly shaken, recounted the eerie moment as officers and emergency respondents arrived at the scene. Pol Capt Srayuth Thanirat, deputy superintendent of Chien Yai police, provided details of the sad event while Chien Yai police chief Pol Col Somporn Preutsawanitch reported preliminary findings from the post mortem examination conducted at Chiang Yai Hospital. It concluded that Kingor had likely succumbed to a heart attack, with no visible signs of foul play.
The somber news soon reached Kingor’s family, who accepted the diagnosis without suspicions of murder or any wrongful play. Devastated but composed, they prepared to perform the final religious rites for their beloved at home in Songkhla.
Although travel by bus is typically a mundane experience for most, this incident serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. The grim discovery left the other passengers and everyone involved profoundly affected, highlighting the fragility of existence and the unexpected nature of death. As the bus continued its route, now marked by an unforgettable tragedy, the memory of Kingor Rodsawai and her undisturbed final ride lingered with those who momentarily shared her journey.
This is incredibly sad. Imagine sitting next to someone and not realizing they’re dead!
It really makes you think about how fragile life is. We take every moment for granted.
True, but it also shows how disconnected we are from the people around us.
Maybe it’s just a reminder that we should check on people more often, even strangers.
Absolutely, it wouldn’t hurt to show a bit more humanity.
What a horrible way to find out someone has passed away. We should have health checks for long journeys.
That’s impractical. How would you implement health checks on every long-haul bus without creating chaos?
Maybe there could be emergency response kits or training for staff to deal with such situations.
I take that bus route often. Now I’m scared this could happen to anyone.
A heart attack can strike anytime. This case just happened on a bus. RIP Kingor.
True, but it does make for a very eerie journey for the other passengers.
I think we should all be prepared for these unexpected moments in life.
Why didn’t the bus drivers notice sooner? They should be more alert!
The driver can’t be responsible for every single passenger. It’s unreasonable.
Maybe there should be more frequent checks or some kind of monitoring system.
Just goes to show you never know when your time will come. Very sobering.
Absolutely. We should all live each day like it’s our last.
Exactly. Life is precious and unpredictable.
This is exactly why I prefer traveling by car. At least I have control over my surroundings.
Condolences to the family. The authorities handled this professionally at least.
Emergency responders deserve praise for their quick action. It’s a tough job.
Can you imagine the trauma of the person who discovered her? I hope they’re okay.
Maybe we need more awareness about detecting signs of a heart attack. It could save lives.
True. Knowing CPR and first aid can really make a difference in emergencies.
This story is a reality check for all of us. We need to take care of our health more seriously.
Travelers should be more vigilant about the well-being of fellow passengers.
I agree, but people tend to mind their own business too much these days.
Hope the bus company reviews their protocols after this incident.