Missing uncle and nephew found safe after seven days in forest

Phayao — On the afternoon of August 14, 2026, villagers in Phayao experienced a wave of relief and tears of joy as two missing relatives, 74-year-old Nak Kamlue and 20-year-old Rames Jan Daeng, were found safe in the forest of Chiang Muan district. Both men were residents of Ban Pin, Moo 3, Chiang Muan subdistrict, and had gone missing after venturing into a remote forest area without notifying their families.

On the same day, relatives and local residents conducted a traditional ceremony named “opening the forest”, offering prayers and seeking forgiveness from the spirits believed to guard the land and mountains. They requested assistance from the spirits to guide rescuers to a safe path and bring the missing men home.

As the search intensified, rescue teams operating in the heart of the forest reached out to the joint search command centre by radio, confirming the location of both missing men. Upon hearing the news, relatives and community members at the command centre were overwhelmed with emotion, breaking down in tears, hugging each other, and expressing deep relief at finally hearing the good news after a week-long anxiety.

Authorities reported that both men were safe following a series of rescue operations that involved rescue workers, officials, community leaders, and local residents. The search teams faced challenging conditions due to the dense forest and difficult terrain, making it difficult to access the area.

Further details regarding the exact location of the rescue, the missing men's physical condition, and the rescuers' journey to reach them are still pending. The Chiang Muan Subdistrict Municipality’s joint missing-person search command centre is anticipated to release additional official information. The news of the safe return of the uncle and nephew first appeared on Khaosod English.