This is a story about something that happened here recently at Lost Found Thailand. We got a form submission by a couple from India who lost the wife’s wedding ring while on a snorkeling trip in Phuket, Thailand – far offshore at one of the small islands. Enjoy!
If You Lost Something in Phuket – FILL OUT THIS FORM >
Priya and Arjun, a young couple from India, were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary with a second honeymoon in Thailand. They had planned the perfect getaway, eager to rekindle their romance amidst the stunning landscapes of the Thai islands off Phuket Island in Thailand’s South.
Their 12-year-old son, Rohan, joined them on this journey, adding to the joy of their family adventure.
On a picture-perfect sunny morning they embarked on a snorkeling tour to one of the outer islands off the coast, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life. The island was a paradise surrounded by towering limestone karst formations, their rugged beauty mirrored in the tranquil turquoise sea.
Before getting on the boat they enjoyed a delightful Western Big Breakfast on the island which had one hotel. They feasted on the freshest local fruits: sweet, succulent mangoes and exotic, seed-speckled dragonfruit.
As they sailed out to the snorkeling site just off the island, the boat was filled with laughter and excitement. The family had been having a perfect trip so far, with every moment seeming to bring them closer together. The beauty of Thailand was everything they had dreamed of and more.
However, as they dove into the warm, inviting water, disaster struck. Priya surfaced, her face pale with shock. Her wedding ring, a cherished symbol of their two decades of love and commitment, was missing from her finger! The ring had slipped off in the water, immediately vanishing into the depths below.
Panic quickly spread through the group. Arjun immediately started diving, frantically searching the sandy bottom while Priya fought back tears. The other tourists on nearby boats also joined in the search. For over an hour, they scoured the area, taking turns diving and combing the sea floor, but the ring was nowhere to be found.
The ring held immense sentimental value. It was a simple gold band with a small .5 karat diamond and engraved with their initials and the date of their wedding.
It symbolized the journey they had shared, the challenges they had overcome, and the love that had only grown stronger over the years. Losing it felt like losing a part of their shared history.
Rohan, seeing his mother so upset, started to cry. He understood, in his own way, what the ring meant to his parents. His tears added to the heavy atmosphere on the boat as everyone continued their desperate search by taking turns jumping off the boat after catching their breath.
The island’s scenery, which had seemed so idyllic just moments before, now felt indifferent to their plight. The towering limestone karsts and the serene blue waters that once felt like paradise now seemed to mock their efforts.
After what felt like an eternity, the search had to be called off. The boat captain, sympathetic but realistic, gently informed them that it was time to return. Priya and Arjun, holding each other tightly, accepted that their ring was gone. They sailed back to the island in silence, the joy of their perfect trip overshadowed by this loss.
That evening, they sat on the beach, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. They talked about their memories, about how much they had grown together, and about how their love was not confined to a piece of jewelry. Rohan sat between them, holding their hands, trying to comfort them in his own way.
When they returned to India, the absence of the ring was a stark reminder of their trip. But as days passed, they found solace in the memories they had created. Their bond was stronger than ever, and they knew that no ring could truly encapsulate the depth of their relationship.
Though the ring was lost to the waters of Thailand, Priya and Arjun carried back something far more precious – the reaffirmation of their love and the memories of their second honeymoon, a journey that had, despite its heartbreak, brought them even closer together.
Then Rohan had an idea. He scoured the internet for ‘lost ring in Thailand’ and found one of our pages here on Lost Found Thailand!
He filled out the form for his parents and told us all about what happened. We chatted by WhatsApp a few times and figured out the island they were on and approximately where the ring was dropped.
Of course we don’t operate for free, so we told Rohan he’d need to send about 8,000 Thai Baht to pay for the costs of a boat to be sent out to the spot with divers to locate the ring.
He didn’t have the money.
While we wanted to help, we also had to be realistic about finding a lost ring in the vast ocean around that island. We had to think about the fact that the ring was probably not going to be found and that we’d waste our own money to go try.
Rohan’s older brother was contacted. He worked in the tech field. He had some money saved up. He sent it with a Stripe invoice.
We quickly mounted a search party and set out to find their lost ring.
We had a metal detector, two divers, and two snorkelers to try to find the ring. We covered the area we thought they were in when they lost the jewelry.
We moved over slightly to the west and tried some more. Nothing.
We moved to the south a bit and guess what?
WE FOUND THE RING!!
The joy on the boat was eclipsed only by the joy of Rohan as we sent him the WhatsApp message. He wanted us to keep it a secret and mail it.
We were afraid to mail it and told him we’d rather hand it to them personally.
Rohan got his brother to get a cheap flight to Thailand and he arrived in about a month.
We gave him the ring and he gave us a small reward for our trouble.
It was a really nice feeling to help someone from India reclaim their lost items in Thailand.
They sent us a video of the surprise on their parents’ faces when they showed them the ring at a dinner the following weekend!
It was really cool and something we were glad to be a part of.
We find computers, phones, keys, photos, wallets, purses, necklaces, earrings, and so many other things over the years, but nothing really as meaningful as a wedding ring!
If you are wondering – can we find your lost item in Phuket or Krabi or wherever you were in Thailand when you lost it.
The answer is – MAYBE.
There are many things we don’t find. This was a really nice success story and one we tell a lot of other customers.
We think it’s always better to try. The upside can be tremendous!
Fill out your Thailand Lost Item Report Here >