A 54-year-old female tourist from Nonthaburi, who has been missing on Khao Jet Yod mountain, was found dead today, following an intensive four-day search operation.
The body of Wantanee (surname withheld), 54, was discovered in the forest near the upper reaches of the Ton Te waterfall in Palian district of Thailand’s southern Trang province.
Wantanee had been missing since Monday after separating from her trekking group on Khao Jet Yod, a peak in the Banthat mountain range straddling the border between Trang and Phatthalung provinces.
A joint rescue team, comprising around 100 personnel, including Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary rangers from both provinces and local tour guides, had been scouring the rugged terrain since her disappearance.
Songrit Pichairat, the head of Palian sub-district, and a member of the search team said the operation narrowed its focus after three search parties returned on Wednesday night with a crucial clue.
The teams discovered used wet wipes near a headwater stream above the Ton Te waterfall, about five kilometres from the waterfall's main entrance and to the right of the Nhan Sato waterfall, which is the standard descent route from Khao Jet Yod.
"We estimated that the wipes had been used two to three days ago," Songrit said.
In response, authorities adjusted their strategy this morning, deploying two additional teams to bring the total to eight search parties. They concentrated their efforts entirely on a sweep of the dense jungle terrain above the Ton Te waterfall.
The search ended today when rangers located Wantanee’s body in the area.
Officials’ initial investigations suggest that the victim was attempting to make her way down the mountain by following the waterfall when she slipped and fell to her death.
A recovery team was dispatched this afternoon to retrieve the body.
Authorities estimate that it will take rescuers three to four hours just to trek up to the location and bring her down.
According to park officials, Wantanee had travelled to Khao Jet Yod as part of a 13-member trekking group. She reportedly told her companions that she was, against advice, heading down the mountain alone.
When her friends failed to establish contact or find her at the base, they immediately alerted authorities, triggering the four-day search.
