BANGKOK — The humble fisherman-turned-hero who shot to national fame during the weekend for rescuing mud-mired tourists is being flown to Bangkok this evening for recognition of his deeds.
Chad Ubonchinda, a 44-year-old fisherman from the southern province of Krabi, turned into an overnight hero after he was caught on film rescuing a foreign couple hopelessly stuck in a quagmire by lying down and letting them walk out across his back.
He became an immediate object of online praise, particularly as he was seen shuffling off without asking for any compensation. He said the deed was its own reward – but admitted his back has yet to recover from the mild trampling.
“I didn’t think too much when I saw they were in trouble,” Chad said Saturday. “The only thing I think is I already gained the merit from saving them, and I don’t want anything back.”