17-year-old caring for child alone in Buriram

A 17-year-old girl in Nong Ki district, Buriram, has been left to support herself and care for a two-year-old relative after her parents and several close family members were arrested in drug cases.

Officials visited the children on 8 August 2026 after neighbours reported that they were living in a dilapidated home in Thung Kratat Phatthana subdistrict without electricity, bedding or reliable food.

The family members who were arrested are being held at Nang Rong Prison. The older girl's grandparents, who had previously been the family's main support, have both died.

Home had no power or proper bedding

Nong Ki district chief Chief Petty Officer Chaiyan Phasawang ordered the district Red Cross branch, provincial administrative organisation representatives, the Thung Kratat Phatthana local authority, public-health officials, village health volunteers and community leaders to inspect the home.

They found that its electricity supply had been disconnected and that there were no basic facilities. The children reportedly had only an old mat to sleep on.

The district chief has contacted the electricity authority to reconnect the supply, so the home has lighting. Essential food and household items were also delivered, while support is being sought from other sectors to ease the children's immediate hardship.

Neighbours had been sharing food

Neighbour Thitima Mueadkhunthod, 65, said she had often seen the teenager taking the two-year-old to ask several households for rice. Residents had helped where they could, but she contacted the village head because a 17-year-old should not have to raise a toddler alone in such conditions.

Thung Kratat Phatthana village head Chatcha Sisoncha said the teenager's mother was arrested in a drug case about three months ago, followed by her father around two and a half months ago.

The two-year-old's mother, who is the older girl's paternal aunt, was also arrested in a drug case. This left the teenager responsible for the younger child.

She earns 250 baht a day preparing vegetables at a noodle shop. She has no vehicle to get to work, but the shop owner collects and returns her each day, and she takes the child with her.

Welfare assessment due next week

Buriram's Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office is due to visit next week to assess the children's living conditions and set out a structured support plan.

Officials are concerned not only about the home but also the 17-year-old's accumulated stress following the arrests and the deaths of her grandparents.

They have described the household as vulnerable, noting that several family members have histories connected with drug cases and repeated periods in prison. Agencies are preparing coordinated help covering welfare, living conditions, education and child protection.

Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

Join the discussion?

10 August 2026