Pattaya: Desperate elderly beggar, 73, cuts off own toes

[webfact]

Pattaya: Desperate elderly beggar, 73, cuts off own toes

 

Picture: Siam Chon News

 

Siam Chon News reported on the pitiful case of a 73 year old grandmother begging on the streets of Pattaya.

 

Noochan Malaikham was pictured being given wound cleaning help by a young man called Junior, 23, from a local rescue foundation. 

 

He said that he was concerned that if the old lady's wounds were not washed and dressed they could become infected. 

 

Noochan admitted that she had taken a pair of scissors to her toes in an effort to lessen the agony from diabetes. 

 

She had stripped some flesh but in some areas she had to cut towards the bone to get relief. 

 

She was waiting for a relative to come and sign papers so she could get proper medical attention. 

 

She said that she was from Mahasarakham and had four children but they had all left home. One was in prison for drugs. 

 

She had been living in a deserted house in Pattaya with two sons in law who had helped out but they had now fallen victim to the severe economic crisis. 

 

She said she gets rent free accommodation and some kind person pays her electricity and water bills. She gets some food handouts from some other kind people and with money from her begging buys her own too. 

 

She said that she has relatives upcountry but they have nothing and she could not be any help to them in the fields. 

 

She said that she could cope with her situation and doesn't need the help of the authorities. She sees her diabetes doctor according to her appointment schedule and takes her meds. 

 

Noochan sits on the footpath near the Photisan intersection. 

 

Source: Siam Chon News

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-09-08

 

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[Matzzon]

This is the really sad part of today´s society. Here she have 4 children, and no one seems to take her in. She is poor, so she will have a welfare card. That mean the only thing they would have to do is go together and afford food for their old mother. I would rather starve myself, than desert my own flesh and blood like these children have done. Shame on them! There should be a law to prosecute children that abandon their parents in such a way. 

[lust]

Jesus, that’s very sad. 

[Ctkong]

Sad state of affairs under current economic situation. I have many Thai friends in tourism business and they are hurting bad. I don’t know how long they can hold on with no end in sight. One had 2 coaches sitting idle now but had to service the monthly payment.

[JoePai]

16 minutes ago, Ctkong said:

Sad state of affairs under current economic situation. I have many Thai friends in tourism business and they are hurting bad. I don’t know how long they can hold on with no end in sight. One had 2 coaches sitting idle now but had to service the monthly payment.

It's been like this for the poor of Thailand for ever and a day - nothing new

[RJRS1301]

Desperate to be doing self amputation for what is obviously poorly  controlled diabetes, and no education or ability to self care. Surely there is some supported accomodation and care that can be accessed. The poor are always worst affected into age and when poorly controlled health impacts it definitely shortens life expectancy and removes any quality. 

[Jingthing]

Maybe I'm naive but couldn't she have gone to a hospital for a medically proper amputation if needed?

 

I realize that the health care for the poor isn't grade A here but diabetic amputations aren't exactly cutting-edge medical technology. 

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, lust said:

Jesus, that’s very sad. 

Ain't it just. One is often lectured on how the locals care for their elderly parents etc etc, but cases like this keep cropping up.

[Bender Rodriguez]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Noochan admitted that she had taken a pair of scissors to her toes in an effort to lessen the agony from diabetes. 

is healthcare not free for thais ?

[tgw]

1 minute ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

is healthcare not free for thais ?

people can be strange.

I had a Thai friend who had a dangerous medical condition that required just a small ambulant operation to fix.

can you believe she vehemently refused to get treated, first citing costs, and after I told her it was free, I had to raise the voice and scold her so that she finally accepted that I bring her to emergency care. tried to get out without treatment too. not a friend anymore.

[anterian]

Typical Thai medication is metformin, glyclazide is four times dearer. But metformin needs a controlled low glycaemic diet, poor people eat the opposite.

[klauskunkel]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Noochan sits on the footpath near the Photisan intersection. 

Good to know. Maybe the Watch General can give her some money.

[Burma Bill]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Noochan admitted that she had taken a pair of scissors to her toes in an effort to lessen the agony from diabetes. 

Being a diabetic myself (type 2) I can appreciate how she must have suffered on some occasions. Even though I take my medication, including 2 daily injections of insulin, my feet can give me grief (Neuropathy) - but not to the extent of using scissors! It is a pity she did not attend the local Government Hospital where (from my experience in Khon Kaen Province) there were special diabetic clinics that offer advice and prescribe the appropriate medication. Praise and congratulations to "junior" for his actions in helping the lady with medication to prevent infection (Sepsis) which can be deadly with diabetics.

[poloshirt]

In France children in primary school ( around 8 years old) are taught the dangers of eating sweet stuffs.

The teacher took 2 tin of biscuits- one with low sugar and one with high sugar for the kids to taste and advise them.

[Letseng]

9 hours ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

is healthcare not free for thais ?

It says in the article that she sees a doctor for her diabetes meds. She could have gotten help from there?

[Skylight]

13 hours ago, tgw said:

people can be strange.

I had a Thai friend who had a dangerous medical condition that required just a small ambulant operation to fix.

can you believe she vehemently refused to get treated, first citing costs, and after I told her it was free, I had to raise the voice and scold her so that she finally accepted that I bring her to emergency care. tried to get out without treatment too. not a friend anymore.

Yeah, public hospital medical care should be free to her.   One of Thaksin's doings. 

 

Someone should bring her to a public hospital.

 

The social welfare and old people social security are still lacking but the universal healthcare part is pretty far along.

 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

is healthcare not free for thais ?

The post says she sees a diabetic doctor and takes her meds?

Not sure why she did what she did, maybe she should talk to the doctor more if she's experiencing acute pain.

[mikebell]

On 9/8/2020 at 12:51 PM, jacko45k said:

Ain't it just. One is often lectured on how the locals care for their elderly parents etc etc, but cases like this keep cropping up.

Totally agree.  Thais like to trumpet how family is so important right up to putting their hand in their pocket; then there's a deafening silence.

[balo]

Unlike in the US she is entitled to free healthcare (30 baht), one of the good things about Thailand.  As long as someone bring her to a public hospital she will be in good hands. 

Still a tragedy, one of 100.000 + cases.