A pensioner miraculously survived after spending four nights lost in the woods.

Food cart seller Huay Kongkhing, 72, went in the forest to collect wild mushrooms in Nakhon Ratchasima last Firday (20/09) afternoon.

However, her family reported her missing the next day when she had failed to return.

Fearing the worst, village chief Pathumthip Nuanyanat contacted the authorities from the Department of National Parks to find her.

Police, volunteers and residents began searching but they were hampered by the non-stop rain and thunderstorms which have battered northern Thailand this month killing at least 33 people.

Rescuers eventually found the tired pensioner sheltering among the trees on Monday (23/09) afternoon. She had survived by eating wild food and drinking rain water.

The grandmother was exhausted and was rushed to the hospital for check-ups. She was released by the end of the day after the doctor found nothing to worry about.

The village chief said that Huay had also wandered off last year and was unable to find her way home.

She said: "It is a big coincidence after she spent two nights in the wood last year and then four nights this year.

"However, the most fascinating thing is that she managed to stay alive through the two dangerous events of her life.

''I have spoken to her and told her not to wander deep into the woods. She needs to go foraging for food to sell, though.

''We're now preparing for the next time she goes missing.''