Nong Khai man walks 500km barefoot after family dispute
A 62 year old man was reportedly forced out of his Nong Khai home by his wife and stepson, prompting him to walk barefoot over 500 kilometres to return to his hometown. A passerby found him and provided a lift, eventually taking him to a hospital.
Police Colonel Ratapolchai Pensongkram from Chaiwan district, Udon Thani province, received a call from Chaiwan Hospital yesterday, January 9. Nurses informed him about an elderly man who had walked barefoot from Satuek district, Buriram province, aiming to reach his home in Phon Phisai district, Nong Khai province.
The nurses were concerned as his feet were swollen from the long journey and provided medication to reduce inflammation. They subsequently contacted journalists to investigate further, revealing the man’s identity as Phon.
Phon explained that he had lived with his wife in Satuek district for over 13 years. However, in mid-December last year, his wife’s son moved in from Bangkok.
This led to a disagreement, resulting in Phon being asked to leave the house. When he confronted his wife, she sided with her son, leaving Phon feeling deeply hurt.
On December 28, he left without any belongings or money, relying on police stations for shelter and temples for food. His journey was made more difficult by a previous leg injury from a car accident in his youth.
Eventually, a local driving a sugarcane truck offered him a ride to Chaiwan district, where he was taken to the hospital by the police.
Through tears, Phon recounted that he had worked as a general labourer and welder, giving all his earnings to his wife. However, once her son arrived, he felt insignificant and was forced to leave.
He expressed that after 13 years, he felt his love was shattered. Following a heated argument with his wife on the night of December 27, Phon decided to return to his hometown in Phon Phisai district.
With no clothes or money, he has been wandering for 13 days, limping and crying along the way. He intends to reunite with his grandson and has resolved to become a monk upon reaching his destination, reported KhaoSod.
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