KOH PHA NGAN, Thailand — A routine island adventure turned into a harrowing ordeal for two Italian tourists who spent hours lost in Koh Pha Ngan’s dense jungle before a massive rescue operation brought them to safety late Saturday night.

New Zealand Tourist Rescued After Getting Lost in Koh Phangan Jungle

The drama began when the Thai Tourist Police received a panicked alert from the Italian Embassy in Bangkok—two women, identified as M. B. and L. R. (names removed for privacy), had vanished after venturing into the forest near Haad Khom Beach during an afternoon motorcycle exploration.

As torrential rains lashed the island, a team of 50 emergency responders—including police, park rangers, and local volunteers—mobilized into the wilderness. Using GPS coordinates shared via shaky phone signals, rescuers hacked through thick foliage under flashlight beams.

“Every minute counted,” said Police Lieutenant Sombat Dechakham, who led the operation. “The jungle here is unforgiving—steep cliffs, venomous snakes, and sudden downpours that erase trails.”

Two Italian tourists have been rescued from a jungle on Koh Phangan after they lost their way during a trek.

Get audio & full story in a link in the 1st comment.#BangkokPost #Thailand #KohPhangan #SuratThani pic.twitter.com/ldjSZegVqg

— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) April 12, 2025

After three tense hours, a shout echoed through the darkness: the women were found clinging to each other near a waterfall, their clothes torn by thorns but otherwise unharmed.

The tourists recounted taking a “shortcut” on their rented scooter after visiting a secluded beach. When the path disappeared, their phones—with just 8% battery remaining—became their lifeline.

“Google Maps showed a road, but there was only jungle,” a shaken Bianchi told rescuers. “We heard animals moving around us as it got dark.”

“This could have ended tragically,” said Surat Thani Governor Witchawut Jinto. He announced new safety signs will be installed along jungle access points.

Three Foreign Tourists Rescued after Getting Lost in Koh Phangan Island Forest

The Italians, now recovering at their resort, say they’ll celebrate their second chance with a quiet beach day—far from the forest.

-Thailand News (TN)