HAT YAI, THAILAND – An elderly flood evacuee who went viral in Thailand after sobbing over dogs he was forced to leave behind was later reunited with his pets alive.
Viral video of heartbreaking evacuation
The rescue of Narong, believed to be about 65–70 years old, from the floodwaters in Hat Yai had been shared widely online. On a rescue boat, the man broke down in tears as he was taken to safety.
“I really had no hope anymore. I thought I would never see them again. I left them. I am so selfish.”
said Narong, visibly distraught.
The current was too strong for rescuers to take the dogs with them. Narong kept looking back in despair toward his house and repeatedly tried to return to his animals, and even at the evacuation center he could not stop crying over them.
Daughter announces the “miracle” online
Relief came days later. On 27 November, Narong’s daughter posted the dramatic turn of events on TikTok under the account @babyfa2911. Both dogs — Mhee (“Bear”) and Moo Daeng (“Little Red Pig”) — had been found alive.
Exhausted but unharmed, the animals were back in their owner’s arms. Photos of the emotional reunion spread quickly, as thousands of Thais who had followed the first video expressed their relief and celebrated what many called a miracle on social media.
How the dogs survived the flood
Narong said he had found no peace after his own rescue.
“I could not sleep and waited impatiently for the water level to fall so I could look for my pets,”
said Narong to reporters.
The loyal dogs had apparently endured days of flooding in a higher part of the house. The joy was overwhelming when Narong could finally hold them again.
“That day I even thought about jumping from the boat to save them. I love my life – but I love them too,”
said the deeply moved man.
Other dramatic rescues in the floods
Narong’s case was not unique, as many flood victims reportedly refused evacuation without their pets. Rescuers said some residents even asked them to save their animals first.
In one particularly dramatic incident, an elderly woman clung to a tree with her cat for three days while raging water surged around them. Both were eventually rescued, underlining that in Thailand many see pets as family members worth risking everything for.
A rare bright spot in a disaster
The reunion of Narong and his dogs deeply moved people across Thailand, prompting waves of congratulations on social media. One user wrote:
“You made us cry again – but this time with joy!”
said the user.
The story became a bright spot in an otherwise bleak flood disaster, held up as proof that even in the darkest hours there was still hope and room for small miracles. Narong’s tears of despair had turned into tears of pure happiness.