A Thai businesswoman captured hearts by forgiving debts and returning land titles to two of her debtors without demanding repayment. A 37 year old woman has demonstrated an extraordinary act of kindness in Chumphon province, amidst the financial struggles brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Onanong Kanpat, known as Nong On, who runs a business trading business in fresh kratom leaves, decided to cancel the debts after reflecting on her difficult past and the current hardships faced by her clients. One debtor, an elderly man with chronic illness and substantial medical bills, was relieved of his debt, which had been secured against his approximately four-acre land valued at over 1 million baht. The man had been unable to make payments for six months, putting him at risk of losing his property.

 

The other debtor, who shared Onanong’s profession but was only operating on a smaller scale within the provinces of Chumphon and Ranong, had faced numerous setbacks, including being defrauded multiple times. With a young child to care for and struggling to afford even milk, this debtor’s plight resonated deeply with Onanong, prompting her decision to nullify the debt.

Onanong’s generous act was not without sacrifice. She curbed her expenses, foregoing beauty treatments, luxury clothing, and expensive accessories, saving enough money to cover the cost of cancelling the debts while not affecting her business capital.

 

This approach allowed her to provide these debtors with a fresh start without compromising her financial stability, reported Sanook.

The story of Onanong’s generosity has spread rapidly, bringing her praise and admiration, as well as numerous requests for financial assistance from strangers. While she expresses a desire to help, Onanong emphasises the importance of self-reliance and has encouraged those seeking aid to first look to their means or support from family and friends.

Onanong credits her grandparents, who raised her since she was orphaned, for instilling in her the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, and compassion for others. Her late grandfather taught her to extend a helping hand to fellow humans when possible, while her grandmother, still alive at 87 years old and paralysed for over 30 years, advised her to strive independently without accumulating debt.

 

Looking ahead, Onanong plans to continue her philanthropic efforts, potentially using future profits from her kratom business to fund public projects like road lighting, road repairs, and hospital support.

 

by Samantha Rose

Top Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-26

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

Onanong’s generous act was not without sacrifice. She curbed her expenses, foregoing beauty treatments, luxury clothing, and expensive accessories, saving enough money to cover the cost of cancelling the debts while not affecting her business capital.

Such sacrifice... 

I doubt if she forgave the debt , just some of the massive interest payments.

The first two posters live miserable lives and see nothing good in anybody... sounds to me like they are passing their ill will and judgment on her for being benevolent while still being a business owner.

Well done. She seems to be a true Buddhist (or Christian). It's nice to see a story like this occasionally. It's a break from the relentless bad news.

So is she a loan shark or not? Does she not charge huge interests from others, I'd like to hear what interest she charges to others. 

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Such sacrifice... 

Don't be too caustic, she needn't have done anything but instead showed empathy for those less fortunate than herself.

1 hour ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

The first two posters live miserable lives and see nothing good in anybody... sounds to me like they are passing their ill will and judgment on her for being benevolent while still being a business owner.

Apart from her Kratom business ( a stimulant with opioid effect), seems her other business is a loan shark, If it were a full investigated story my Sinicism may be different.

52 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from her Kratom business ( a stimulant with opioid effect), seems her other business is a loan shark, If it were a full investigated story my Sinicism may be different.

You know for a fact that she is a loan shark... or you are assuming... PS Kratom is perfectly legal in Thailand... much like cannabis.

5 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

59 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from her Kratom business ( a stimulant with opioid effect), seems her other business is a loan shark, If it were a full investigated story my Sinicism may be different.

You know for a fact that she is a loan shark... or you are assuming... PS Kratom is perfectly legal in Thailand... much like cannabis.

Read my post! do I really need to point out what I said? I know Kratom is legal here doesn't alter the facts as I stated, I could go on about it's effect if taken with cough mixture which many do. Do you really believe she just lent out money with no high interest rates, dream on. 

59 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Read my post! do I really need to point out what I said? I know Kratom is legal here doesn't alter the facts as I stated, I could go on about it's effect if taken with cough mixture which many do. Do you really believe she just lent out money with no high interest rates, dream on. 

Does it really matter, the point is this woman did not snatch the land of these poor people and herein lies a lesson for the thousands of heartless mafia types who know full well that the interest they charge makes the debt un repayable and it is about time the banks made borrowing at a low interest rate more available to needy hard working people, there is no reason to believe that they do not have the experience to know who is a relatively good bet to lend to, and that alone will undermine the loan sharks by about 95%

25 minutes ago, Jimjim1 said:

Does it really matter, the point is this woman did not snatch the land of these poor people and herein lies a lesson for the thousands of heartless mafia types who know full well that the interest they charge makes the debt un repayable and it is about time the banks made borrowing at a low interest rate more available to needy hard working people, there is no reason to believe that they do not have the experience to know who is a relatively good bet to lend to, and that alone will undermine the loan sharks by about 95%

I think it does matter, she makes money from these poor people, if they were not poor they would not borrow money, how many other poor people has she made 'loans' too, who's interest has made her rich. Before giving her free publicity, in the public's interest they should know all her wheeling and dealing. Lets see how squeaky clean she really is. 

Sad really! It just illustrates how positive news gets attacked! It's really a case of bad conscience in the main, makes people who trust no-one feel uncomfortable. Christians in the main practice what Jesus taught - " love your neighbour as yourself "! Imagine what would happen if we all did this, poverty perhaps wouldn't exist. Obviously I applaud that ladies actions - should be more of it!

Love to all!

54 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Je pense que ça a de l'importance, elle gagne de l'argent avec ces pauvres, si elles n'étaient pas pauvres, ils n'emprunteraient pas d'argent, combien d'autres pauvres ont fait des "prêts" aussi, qui l'intérêt l'a rendue riche. Avant de lui donner une publicité gratuite, dans l'intérêt du public, ils devraient connaître toute sa roue et ses transactions. Voyons à quel point elle est vraiment propre.

 

I think you didn't think carefully otherwise you would have thought that it was his kratom suppliers who he helped by investing in land and providing him with the product to process in his company.

The woman is not a Loan Shark

Loan Sharks charge extortionate interest, and do not give 6 months repayment holidays. Loan Sharks use violence to force money from their victims. She simply accepted land as security for a loan. If you think she is a loan shark then Banks could be called Loan Sharks by the same criteria

Definition of a loan shark:

A moneylender who charges extortionate rates of interest, typically under illegal circumstances

Not all monylenders are Loan Sharks

More than half the debt is this keeping up with the Jones syndrome. 

If you go up into the boonies next to basically shacks they have top of the range cars parked ( maybe daughter is selling her assets)

Teachers who you would assume should have some intelligence are the worst at living beyond their means.

7 hours ago, The Old Bull said:

I doubt if she forgave the debt , just some of the massive interest payments.

Why do you doubt it when it was specifically stated that she did and returned title deed security to the debtors?  What basis do you have to doubt the report?

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from her Kratom business ( a stimulant with opioid effect), seems her other business is a loan shark, If it were a full investigated story my Sinicism may be different.

There was no suggestion whatsoever that she is a loan shark.  Not wanting to be cynical but what the fck is "Sinicism"?

 

What is the relevance to the OP of the effects of kratom?

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Do you really believe she just lent out money with no high interest rates, dream on. 

You're the only one posting your dreams on this thread.

2 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I think it does matter, she makes money from these poor people, if they were not poor they would not borrow money, how many other poor people has she made 'loans' too, who's interest has made her rich. Before giving her free publicity, in the public's interest they should know all her wheeling and dealing. Lets see how squeaky clean she really is. 

'Kin 'ell.  if she was so bad why would she be risking that exposure by putting herself in the spotlight?

maybe a monk told her it was bad karma to impose high interest rates on the poor and then steal their land

2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

'Kin 'ell.  if she was so bad why would she be risking that exposure by putting herself in the spotlight?

So she can show how wonderful she is, by putting herself on social media, this is all about Her, most people would keep it to themselves, and let the recipient report an act of kindness/charity if they so wanted to. Now everybody knows elderly mans business, just so she can become an 'influencer'. 

19 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Read my post! do I really need to point out what I said? I know Kratom is legal here doesn't alter the facts as I stated, I could go on about it's effect if taken with cough mixture which many do. Do you really believe she just lent out money with no high interest rates, dream on. 

I read your post... as sad as it were... you seem to insist on being one of the ones I mentioned earlier... The first two posters live miserable lives and see nothing good in anybody... sounds to me like they are passing their ill will and judgment on her for being benevolent while still being a business owner.