A boy crying wolf led a water-rescue team to a Sattahip pond to search for a youngster that had supposedly drowned, but was, in fact, home with his parents.
Sawang Thammasathan Foundation rescuers and Najomtien residents were outraged by the prank by 8-year-old Piyapong Wan-ngam, who had his mother call authorities after telling her that a 6-year-old neighbor had drowned in a three-meter-deep fish pond June 25.
Anxious residents gather around a local fishing pond, fearing for a young boy’s life until learning that it was all just a cruel hoax.
Sawang Thammasathan rescuers dived into the pond, and then called in extra divers and equipment when they could not locate the boy. While waiting for the gear to arrive, a neighbor arrived to say the 6-year-old was safe at home.
Piyapong stuck to his story, however, saying he saw the boy go fishing in the pond, then not resurface. But eventually a sly smile spread across the urchin’s face and he admitted he’d made up the whole thing.
The prankster’s mother, Pranee Bunthiem, scolded Piyapong for lying, but authorities did not file charges for filing a false report and wasting their time and money.
