Man walks 700km to overcome cannabis addiction in Ratchaburi
Drug addict sets off to Chiang Mai on foot, fuelled by family love
A Thai man is making headlines for his extraordinary attempt to turn his life around by walking more than 700 kilometres to escape cannabis addiction.
Piya, a 46 year old man from Ratchaburi, has spent the past 20 days trekking towards Chiang Mai in a personal mission to overcome his dependency on cannabis. Armed with nothing more than a single change of clothes and steely determination, he survives by collecting and selling empty cans to afford basic meals.
He sleeps wherever he can: temples, roadside shelters, and even police stations. His motivation? The love and support of his 74 year old mother and sister, who check in on him by phone daily.
Officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Regions 5 and 6 met Piya in Sukhothai on Monday, June 9, to offer encouragement and aid. Health workers treated his injured feet, provided food, water, pain relief, and replaced his broken phone so he could stay in touch with his family.
“I’ve battled various addictions in the past and managed to quit all but cannabis. I’m doing this for my family. Their love keeps me going.”
Now more than 400 kilometres into his journey, he is determined to prove that change is possible. With each step, Piya is not only walking away from addiction but walking towards hope: better health, a new mindset, and a desire for employment, reported Bangkok Post.
He dreams of finding work and building a new life in Chiang Mai, far from the temptations that once held him back.
Officials praised Piya’s strength and willpower, calling his journey an “inspiring testament” to the human spirit and the battle against drug dependence.
In similar news, a heartbroken drug user tearfully turned himself in at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station on April 30, begging to be jailed after his marriage fell apart.
The 48 year old man admitted to using methamphetamine and said he could no longer cope with life on the outside.
Crushed by the collapse of his relationship and struggling with impotence, he told officers that prison seemed like a better alternative to his daily emotional torment.
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