Thai boy loses father while caring for disabled grandparents

An 11 year old Thai boy has been caring for his bedridden father and disabled grandparents in Ban Nachomphu, Udon Thani province, received the news that his father passed away.

Chokanan Rungkul, known as Nong X, who has had to stop attending school to look after his family, faced the tragic loss of his 36 year old father, Suksan Rungkul, who had been bedridden due to a kidney disease and an accident that left him unable to walk. The young boy also takes care of his 63 year old grandfather, Bunplang Rungkul, who suffers from a cerebral infarction, and his 61 year old grandmother, Kampha, who has severe muscle weakness.

The PAO President of Udon Thani, Wichian Khaokham, along with Udon Thani MP Thiapjutha Khaokham, visited Nong X’s family yesterday, August 2, to provide essential supplies and a cash donation of 120,000 baht. The funds were collected through donations to assist the family in their time of need. Various local government officials were present to witness the handover and show their support. During the visit, Wichian spoke with Suksan, who was bedridden, offering words of encouragement and informing him about the community’s support for his family.

PAO President Wichian discussed plans with relevant agencies to provide long-term assistance to Nong X’s family. One proposed measure is to establish an educational fund for Nong X, managed by a committee to ensure proper disbursement, given the family’s difficulty in travelling. Furthermore, the local Administrative Organisation in Ban Kong plans to request funds from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) to repair the family’s home.

Father’s death

As the discussions were underway, Suksan’s condition deteriorated. Health volunteers called Nong X to his father’s side, where Suksan took his last breath surrounded by his family and the visitors. Nong X, overwhelmed with emotion, tearfully closed his father’s eyes with his small hands, a poignant moment that touched everyone present.

Relatives revealed that Suksan had borrowed 40,000 baht from villagers and another 20,000 baht from the village fund to support his family before he became ill. The family’s electricity had also been cut off for several months due to unpaid bills. The donations collected were used to repay debts and settle the electricity bill, allowing the power company to install a transformer for the house. It is believed that Suksan found peace in knowing that his son was receiving help and support from the community before he passed away, reported KhaoSod.