Children’s Day plea for boy who lives in a tuk tuk

[snoop1130]

Children’s Day plea for boy who lives in a tuk tuk

By Santiparb Ramasutra 
The Nation

 

 

For other children, National Children’s Day this Saturday will be a time for celebration. But for Kampanart “Parn” Tipparat, 10, of Songkhla province, it will be just another day for him and his father, who lived in a tuktuk because they can’t even afford to rent a room.

 

Kampanart’s mother left him when he was three, leaving Rungroj, 62, alone with their only child. Rungroj provides a tuktuk service in downtown Hat Yai, but he earns only Bt100200 a day, a sum that has to be divided up for daily expenses as well as education fees for Kampanart. That leaves them with no choice but to use the tuktuk for shelter.

 

Daily life for the Tipparats starts with the son having to wake up early to act as an assistant to monks from Mahattamangkalaram Temple in their morning alms walk. After the round, the monks share their food with the boy and sometimes give him money. When the boy goes to school, his father drives the vehicle around to find passengers.

 

Rungroj picks Kampanart up at school at around 45pm and then makes another round in the evening to find potential passengers. They earn extra money from Wednesday to Sunday when there is a night market and vendors hire him to transport their goods. But the work finishes late at night, meaning Kampanart has little time to do his homework and rest.

 

“My son and I have taken shelter in my rented tuktuk for about four months, because I cannot afford to rent a room. I can earn about Bt300 a day from driving the tuktuk but have to pay Bt120 to rent it. Sometimes I have to spend all the leftover money to fix the vehicle,” Rungroj said.

 

The father said he was sorry that his son had to live in the tuktuk and had no opportunity to play like other children. “Sometimes, my son is disappointed as I have no money to buy him new clothes or toys. However, I will fight with all my best efforts so that he can continue his studies,” he said.

 

Rungroj said the thing he most wanted now was a proper roof over their heads.

 

Although Kampanart said he felt troubled that he had to live in a tuktuk, he will try to endure.

 

“I wish I could become a policeman. What I want for the National Children’s Day is a bicycle and a Superman costume. I will study hard so that I can take care of my father,” the boy said.

 

A Malaysian monk at Mahattamangkalaram Temple said Kampanart helped the monks almost every day before he went to school in exchange for food. “He is a good boy,” the monk said.

 

Anyone who wants to help the father and son can donate to Rungroj’s Krung Thai Bank account of 9300348094; call him on 080 902 6285, or contact a charity coordinator on 089 462 4912 or 089 733 8868.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30335937

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-1-10

[Ebony19]

Such a heartbreaking story

 

[nikmar]

Im tearing up here. thats the same age as my kid. 

[DukSiam1]

This the "Editor's Choice" yet the editor missed the fact that the vehicle is a songtaow not a tuk-tuk.

There's a big difference when you have to live in it. I hope karma smiles on the boy soon.

[edwardflory]

Ok, most of us live a good life here, so let's do something good.

 

I kicked in, so someone else kick in 300 to 500THB.  IF 10 PEOPLE kick in 300THB.........OR.......500THB IT would be a great day for them both.

 

The bank account number is in dad's name.

 

#1 kicked in...who will be #2?

[colinneil]

24 minutes ago, DukSiam1 said:

This the "Editor's Choice" yet the editor missed the fact that the vehicle is a songtaow not a tuk-tuk.

There's a big difference when you have to live in it. I hope karma smiles on the boy soon.

Why nit pick about songtaew or tuk tuk?

Poor little bugger having to live like that.

[colinneil]

18 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

Ok, most of us live a good life here, so let's do something good.

 

I kicked in, so someone else kick in 300 to 500THB.  IF 10 PEOPLE kick in 300THB.........OR.......500THB IT would be a great day for them both.

 

The bank account number is in dad's name.

 

#1 kicked in...who will be #2?

Who will be number 2........ ME, wife will be at the bank later on business for me, and i have told her transfer 200 baht.

Now all you tv MOANERS do the same.

[swissbie]

4 hours ago, DukSiam1 said:

This the "Editor's Choice" yet the editor missed the fact that the vehicle is a songtaow not a tuk-tuk.

There's a big difference when you have to live in it. I hope karma smiles on the boy soon.

Editor is right, you're wrong, this is a tuk-tuk and they are very small, not nice to sleep on this benches for sure. Songtaews are modified pick-up trucks and much biger.

[Just Weird]

6 hours ago, edwardflory said:

Ok, most of us live a good life here, so let's do something good.

 

I kicked in, so someone else kick in 300 to 500THB.  IF 10 PEOPLE kick in 300THB.........OR.......500THB IT would be a great day for them both.

 

The bank account number is in dad's name.

 

#1 kicked in...who will be #2?

Maybe they won't be shouting about it as you and the other Mr Charity are.

[Just Weird]

6 hours ago, edwardflory said:

Ok, most of us live a good life here, so let's do something good.

 

I kicked in, so someone else kick in 300 to 500THB.  IF 10 PEOPLE kick in 300THB.........OR.......500THB IT would be a great day for them both.

 

The bank account number is in dad's name.

 

#1 kicked in...who will be #2?

What makes you think that you're number 1?

[kurtmartens]

Very sad story.  Wife and I sending over 1,000 Baht to the account this morning.