BANGKOK — 6 July 2026, the owner of a disabled cat that disappeared while travelling on a train from Yala to Bangkok has formally asked the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to investigate the incident as the search entered its seventh day.
The owner, accompanied by animal welfare group The Hope Thailand, submitted a complaint to the SRT on Saturday, requesting an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of herdisabled cat, as well as updates on the ongoing search along the railway tracks in Chumphon province.
According to the complaint and posts shared on social media, Si Som disappeared while travelling on Train No. 170 from Yala to Bangkok on 29 June.
The owner said she had originally intended to book seats in a fan-cooled carriage, where the cat could remain with her throughout the journey. However, she was told the carriage was fully booked and was instead assigned seats in an air-conditioned carriage, where pets are not permitted. Railway staff instructed her to place the cat in the train’s luggage compartment.
She said she requested permission to keep the disabled cat with her because of its condition, but the request was denied. She also declined to stay overnight in the luggage compartment because only male staff were present.
According to the owner, railway staff told her the luggage compartment door could not be fully closed and that the cat would be returned to her at about 6:30 a.m. the following morning. However, she questioned inconsistencies in the accounts given by railway staff. According to the complaint, one shift said the cat was last seen near Lamae station, while another said it was discovered missing at about 3 a.m. as the train approached Lang Suan station. She has asked the railway to review the timeline and determine exactly what happened.
The complaint also centres on the condition of the pet carrier, which was found with both zippers fully open. The owner said she believes this was highly unusual and argued that the disabled cat could not have opened the carrier by itself.
The owner also urged the railway to review its procedures for safeguarding checked baggage, noting that passengers pay a luggage handling fee. She called on the SRT to accept responsibility and establish clear measures to assist passengers in similar situations.
The complaint further requested a thorough inspection of Train No. 170, including the possible deployment of sniffer dogs to assist in the search. The owner also said a police report had been filed to formally document the case and facilitate any necessary legal proceedings.
Later on Monday, the owner and volunteers planned to travel to Chumphon province to search the approximately 31-kilometre stretch of railway between Lamae and Lang Suan stations, where Si Som is believed to have disappeared.
Search teams prepared more than 500 leaflets and banners, offered a reward for information, coordinated with local animal welfare volunteers to conduct foot patrols along the tracks, and planned to deploy scent-tracking dogs and drones as part of the search operation.
Si Som, a female cat paralysed in both hind legs, has been cared for by the owner since she was a kitten. According to the owner, more than 80,000 baht has been spent on her treatment and rehabilitation. When she disappeared, Si Som was wearing a red shirt bearing the letters “KFC”, a custom-made diaper and blue-and-white striped trousers.
The owner and volunteers said they are continuing to follow up on reports of possible sightings from several locations while urging anyone with information about Si Som’s whereabouts to come forward.
