This is the first time Thai fireman Somchai Yoosabai has dressed up to save someone.
Police said teachers had alerted the fire station after the boy began crying and climbed out of a classroom window. It was reportedly his first day at the special needs school. Efforts by the teachers to persuade the pupil to come back inside had failed. But a remark by his mother about his passion for comic superheroes prompted fireman Somchai Yoosabai to rush back to the station, where he kept a Spider-Man costume in his locker.
The sight of Mr Somchai dressed as Spider-Man and holding a glass of juice for him, brought a big smile to the boy's face, and he promptly threw himself into the arms of his "superhero", police said.
Mr Somchai normally uses the costume to liven up fire drills in schools.
Somchai has been a fireman for five years. He enjoys helping people but says he also loves the adventurous, exciting and challenging side of his work.
He normally uses the Spider-man costume for fire-prevention lectures he gives at schools but he's also worn it to lead dancers through aerobics routines.
"I chose the outfit because Spider-man is a very famous superhero. Most children know him and he's easy to remember. Spider-man also shares characteristics with firemen: both wear red, climb high buildings and help people."
"I'm glad I've helped people realize that firemen will do everything they can to help in a 199 emergency," says Somchai.
