A baby boy was rescued after being abandoned inside a washing machine.

The infant was discovered in the top-loading coin-operated machine outside a shop in Krabi, southern Thailand yesterday (May 6).

Shop owner Sangduen Khaorueng, 47, said she had closed the business on Friday afternoon before returning yesterday when she heard crying.

The 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.

Police and paramedics arrived who 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 or he faces being sent to an orphanage.

Nang 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.

''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 found him.''

A baby boy was rescued after being abandoned inside a washing machine.

The infant was discovered in the top-loading coin operated machine outside a shop in Krabi, southern Thailand, yesterday (Mon) night.

Shop owner Sangduen Khaorueng, 47, said she had closed the business on Friday afternoon before returning yesterday when she heard crying.

The 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.

Police and paramedics arrived who 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 or he faces being sent to an orphanage.

Nang 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.

‘’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