Wheelchair bound Phuket man heads to Bangkok to honor HM

PHUKET: A wheelchair-bound Phuket man with one leg is trekking his way to the Grand Palace in Bangkok to pay his last respects to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Photos of the 48-year-old devotee, named Supakorn Juiplub, were shared on Facebook yesterday by a user named Jantima Kraithong.

The photos showed Mr Supakorn sitting in a homemade wheelchair and wearing a ‘number 9’ cap to honor the memory of the late monarch, Rama IX. He is also carrying a Thailand flag and sporting a bright smile for people handing him water and helping him along the way.

“I fully intend to get to the Grand Palace to show my love and loyalty to the King. He has been the greatest King and has done a lot for the country,” said Mr Supakorn.

“I am thankful to all the people who are supporting me on my journey. I am glad to see that Thai people are kind as always.”

Several Facebook users expressed their admiration of him, saying that he was a fighter who never gave up on life.

“I admire him. I remember that he also joined Bike for Dad before. Please send him a thumbs up for his efforts,” a Facebook user commented.

Mr Supakorn, also known as ‘Brother Pong’, runs a television repair shop near the Naka night market.

Earlier this week, a Phuket woman set forth on her journey to Bangkok on foot, in order to honor His Majesty (story here).

— Winai Sarot