After traveling 100 km, a Thai man discovers he has left his wife behind.

It was going to be an easy road journey back home for one Thai couple, but turned into a memory that will be hard to forget when a husband unknowingly left his wife at the roadside and drove more than 100 miles before he could figure out his error. The strange but comical episode has gone viral internationally, proving how life can change in an unexpected direction.

A Journey to Remember

On a serene holiday night, 55-year-old Boonma was taking in a leisurely drive with his wife, 49-year-old Nitaya, along Thailand’s picturesque countryside. The two had been making their way to see relatives in their native province after a particularly long and eventful year. The highway was dimly lit, the drive long, and like any tired traveler, Boonma was in need of a short stop.

Pulling over to the side of the road by a wooded patch of ground, he stopped to take a pee before going any further. Nitaya, assuming her husband would be some time, got out of the car too, to take a quick walk. But as fate would have it, their timing was not quite right.

The Moment of Forgetfulness

The moment Boonma returned to the driver’s seat, he presumed his wife was already in the car, sitting comfortably in the back. Without hesitation, he turned on the engine and drove away into the darkness. The wide, open roads of Thailand lay ahead of him, and with no apparent indication of his wife’s disappearance, he drove for almost 100 miles (160 km), distracted by his thoughts and the constant rumble of the engine.

Nitaya, on the other hand, was left stranded in the middle of nowhere, all alone in the dark. Having understood what had just occurred, she panicked for a moment before composing herself. She had no phone, no cash, and no way of knowing when her husband would miss her. With no other choice, she started walking.

A Long and Lonely Walk

Set on getting help, Nitaya walked almost 13 miles (20 km) in the blackness before finally arriving at a small town. There, she came across a police station and told the police officers what was happening. The stunned policemen, having difficulty accepting what they heard, promptly arranged for her to call her husband.

On the receiving end of the call, Boonma was completely shocked. He couldn’t imagine that he had been driving for hours without noticing his wife missing. The realization made him go berserk, as he immediately reversed his car and drove back to the town where his wife was waiting.

The Husband’s Realization

When Boonma eventually caught up with Nitaya, he was greeted by a combination of relief and a fierce glare from his understandably enraged wife. Despite being tired, she cared less about that than she did the sheer absurdity of the situation. Why had he not even noticed she was gone for so long?

Boonma was thoroughly embarrassed and apologized repeatedly. He truly believed she had fallen asleep in the back seat. The ride home was said to be much quieter than before, with Boonma nervously glancing over to ensure Nitaya remained in the car.

A Lesson in Awareness

The tale has since become viral, with people all over the globe laughing and in disbelief. Social media has been flooded with jokes, sympathy for Nitaya, and even personal stories of similar experiences. Many have referred to Boonma as “the most forgetful husband,” while others have joked that this could cost him weeks of the silent treatment.

Experts indicate that such occurrences show just how simple it is to get distracted while driving, particularly on long drives. It also reminds couples and travelers alike to always double-check before embarking.

Final Thoughts

Although the experience was no doubt infuriating for Nitaya, it’s a tale that they will tell for years to come. Regardless of whether it ends in humor or another explosive argument, there is one thing for sure—Boonma will never neglect to look in the passenger seat again.

For Nitaya, she now has the ideal tale to use as ammunition in all future arguments so that her husband never lives it down.