Rayong Termite Invasion: Chutimaporn’s Dramatic Escape from Collapsing Home

In the picturesque province of Rayong, a family of three recently found themselves fleeing their own home as a rather unexpected guest brought about an alarming situation you’d normally see in a disaster movie. The culprits behind this melodrama? A colony of termites, as determined as they are destructive.

This harrowing scene unfolded in the quiet neighborhood of Soi Koh Kloy 5, Mueang district, on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, March 4. Rescue workers from the Sawang Phonkusol Rayong Foundation were quick to respond to the frantic reports. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the upheaval of a collapsed roof, where once stood a robust home. What was left behind were fragments of iron structures and a mosaic of tiles scattered in the area, painting a rather chaotic picture.

The home’s owner, Chutimaporn, recounted the drama with a mixture of relief and residual worry. At the time of the incident, she was in the hallway with her child while her husband was resting in the bedroom. When disaster struck, she didn’t have much time to think beyond getting her child to safety. Her husband, meanwhile, found himself temporarily ensnared within the room but exhibited quick thinking and perhaps a flair for the dramatic by escaping through the window. Call it an action hero in the making!

Chutimaporn, not one for understatements, detailed the series of events that led to this architectural misfortune. Termites, she explained, had been feasting on the roof’s wooden structure for some time. Despite her efforts to call in specialists to tackle the infestation—an appointment was looming on the horizon—the tiny invaders chose their moment of glory before help could arrive. In the aftermath, the family decided to temporarily move in with relatives as they planned not just repairs, but a full renovation to thwart any future termite banquets.

With hindsight and a bit of adrenaline, Chutimaporn extended a heartfelt warning to anyone willing to listen, “Do not underestimate the danger if your home is attacked by termites. Solve the problem as soon as possible because termites are more destructive than you might imagine.” And who could argue with that advice, especially when backed by such an experience?

Remarkably, this termite-induced incident isn’t an isolated oddity in Thailand of late. Just a fortnight ago, a 75-year-old grandmother, her three lively grandchildren, and their loyal canine companions made a swift escape from another house collapse. Their wooden abode, situated in the province of Ayutthaya, succumbed to the relentless downpour courtesy of Mother Nature, bringing the structure down overnight as the rain sang its own lullaby.

Back in Rayong, while the family rebuilds and regroups, the air is thick with relief and the mutual gratitude that no life was lost. A story once headed for tragedy rerouted to an eventual reunion under a stronger, termite-free roof. As for those little wood-munching villains? Well, they’ll just have to find their next opportunity elsewhere because the reinforcements are surely on their way.

These tales of unexpected collapse serve as poignant reminders of the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface—quite literally. So, if your home squeaks a little too often or your wooden beams seem a bit too appealing to passing wildlife, take a leaf out of Chutimaporn’s book: address those creeping critters before they rewrite your family’s story.