A newborn baby is lucky to be alive after it was found dumped in a washing machine with its umbilical cord still attached.
The tot was discovered in the coin operated washer outside a shop in Krabi, southern Thailand, yesterday evening
Shop owner Sangduen Khaorueng said she had closed the business on Friday afternoon before returning yesterday when she heard crying.
The 47-year-old housewife initially ignored the noise believing it was from a neighbours home.
But she later checked inside the large drums and was stunned to see the boy wrapped up in a towel at the bottom of the machine.
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Police and paramedics arrived and checked on the infant who was found to be healthy but "very hungry".
He still had his umbilical cord attached but rescue workers believe he could be up to five days old.
Officers are now trying to trace the mother of the little boy who faces being sent to an orphanage.
Ms Khaorueng said: "I went away on Friday to the provinces to do business and the shop here was closed all weekend.
"When I returned I could hear crying. I thought it was a from a neighbour’s house so I didn’t do anything.
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"But the crying continued after I had been outside and came back. I followed the noise and saw the baby inside the washing machine. I called the police immediately."
Police Lieutenant from Sanya Kaewnui Krabi Police said that the infant was being cared for by nurses in hospital.
Lieutenant Kaewnui added: "We believe the baby is about five days old. He was in good physical condition but was very hungry. A resident prepared a bottle of milk for him.
"It is fortunate that he was crying or nobody would have noticed him in the washing machine.
"My team will check CCTV from the street to try and find the mother. If the baby cannot be returned to the family he will be brought up in an orphanage and offered for adoption."
