UPDATE
Waves of Kindness: Schoolgirl Receives Over 1 Million Baht in Donations After Heartbreaking Story Goes Viral

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A flood of public generosity has changed the life of a 14-year-old schoolgirl left living alone after her mother died, her grandmother passed away and her father was imprisoned. 

 

The story of Thichada Yubonwat, known as “Nong Kriss”, a Mathayom 1, student at Patthamakorn Secondary School in Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province, touched the hearts of people across the country, prompting donations that have now surpassed 1.14 million baht.

 

The heartbreaking situation came to light when a teacher from her school visited her home in the village of Bo Patum and found Kriss living alone in a dilapidated one-storey house with a leaking roof. She is occasionally visited by her older sister and aunt, but otherwise has had to fend for herself. Despite her circumstances, Kriss remains a hardworking student and earns 30–50 baht a day selling grilled chicken to support herself.

 

After the school made her story public, the response was overwhelming. People from all over Thailand donated to support her education and well-being. Udon Thani MP Karaveer Sarakham (Pheu Thai Party), together with local officials, school representatives and community leaders, visited Kriss to offer support and help coordinate long-term care.

 

Following the immense public response, teacher Pornnipa Laksanajan accompanied Kriss to close the donation account after it reached 1,140,500 baht. The funds are expected to cover her educational expenses and provide for the purchase of land and construction of a new home.

 

To ensure transparency and protect the donated money, a five-member financial oversight committee has been established. Withdrawals from the account will require the approval of at least three members. Kriss will have access to the money only for essential needs and the account will remain under school supervision until she completes her education.

 

During a community meeting, it was agreed that instead of repurchasing the grandmother’s mortgaged house, which could potentially lead to ownership disputes among relatives, a new plot of land would be purchased to build a home solely for Kriss. This decision also aims to protect her from any potential interference by distant relatives who have recently surfaced since the donation campaign went viral.

 

One concern raised by the community was the sudden appearance of numerous relatives claiming ties to Kriss, including individuals who had not been in contact with her for years. Some claimed they had cared for her when she was younger and expressed willingness to take her in now. However, the committee has made it clear, none of the donation money is to be accessed or handled by any relatives and all funds must be used strictly for Kriss’s benefit.

 

Speaking on behalf of the school, temple and local government, Phra Maha Suksan Uttamo, the abbot of the local temple and director of Patthamakorn School, said, “We are united in our commitment to protecting Kriss and ensuring the money is used solely for her education and future. Given her situation as a young girl living alone, we must also ensure her safety from opportunistic individuals.”

 

The case has deeply moved people across Thailand, demonstrating the powerful impact of communal compassion. Local leaders and educators now plan to guide Kriss morally and academically, ensuring she grows into a strong, independent young woman.

 

“This remarkable outpouring of generosity shows the heart of the Thai people,” MP Karaveer Sarakham said. “We’ll do everything we can to make sure Kriss uses this opportunity to build a better life and one day give back to society herself.”

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-19

 

 

 

8 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

I tried to makea donation but the error message was "reciepient's account is invalid".  Maybe the account has not been set up yet. I will try again tomorrow. 

Please see update above, donations account has been closed.

7 hours ago, CHdiver said:

Gives me an error message, either wrong number or bank? Or as a poster above mentioned, account not ready. 

Please see update above, donations account has been closed.

17 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

, teacher Pornnipa Laksanajan accompanied Kriss to close the donation account after it reached 1,140,500 baht. The funds are expected to cover her educational expenses and provide for the purchase of land and construction of a new home

Strange, closing the account. 

 

Purchase of land, build a house, education, living expenses etc. 1M baht doesn't go far these days. 

Quote

One concern raised by the community was the sudden appearance of numerous relatives claiming ties to Kriss, including individuals who had not been in contact with her for years. Some claimed they had cared for her when she was younger and expressed willingness to take her in now. However, the committee has made it clear, none of the donation money is to be accessed or handled by any relatives and all funds must be used strictly for Kriss’s benefit.

 

The timing of this is quintessential to something. 

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Strange, closing the account. 

 

Purchase of land, build a house, education, living expenses etc. 1M baht doesn't go far these days. 

She is upcountry and Thai. You would be surprised how cheap you can build a sensible home there. We are not talking about a castle a farang would build. Leftover money will be enough to finish her education and give her a good start into the future. Very sensible to stop the account before the sum got to high. 

7 minutes ago, CHdiver said:

She is upcountry and Thai. You would be surprised how cheap you can build a sensible home there. We are not talking about a castle a farang would build. Leftover money will be enough to finish her education and give her a good start into the future. Very sensible to stop the account before the sum got to high. 

I disagree, it's why I made the comment. 

 

I've been purchasing and building properties in Thailand over 20 years.

 

I got children in Thailand, born here over the decades.

 

A million baht doesn't go far these days. 

 

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Strange, closing the account. 

 

Purchase of land, build a house, education, living expenses etc. 1M baht doesn't go far these days. 

It does 'up north'

46 minutes ago, JoePai said:

It does 'up north'

How many children have you had in Thailand? 

 

She not only needs money for house and land, EDUCATION is very expensive, then there's university fees etc 

2 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

How many children have you had in Thailand? 

 

She not only needs money for house and land, EDUCATION is very expensive, then there's university fees etc 

Only one - why do you think this girl will go to a university, she will be lucky to finish her full schoo;leducation ?

3 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Only one - why do you think this girl will go to a university, she will be lucky to finish her full schoo;leducation ?

Why do you think she won't, she seems like a determined, self esteemed, confident, assertive girl. 

Who is going to control the money? 

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why do you think she won't, she seems like a determined, self esteemed, confident, assertive girl. 

Because she will finish her schooling (can only hope she will) then go out and work to earn money

From Georgealbert update post above:

 

To ensure transparency and protect the donated money, a five-member financial oversight committee has been established. Withdrawals from the account will require the approval of at least three members. Kriss will have access to the money only for essential needs and the account will remain under school supervision until she completes her education.

22 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

That would be a better life for her,

 

 

Certainly better than ending up as body parts in Cambodia.

 

 

wast aware that option was on the table. 

but seriously, WTF?

51 minutes ago, madone said:

wast aware that option was on the table. 

but seriously, WTF?

 

 

It wasn't me that said is was.

She's possibly going to need protection from these greedy relatives crawling out of the woodwork, even though they know her funds will be off limit.

A young girl like that shouldn't live alone, especially in a village, too many male teenagers around. 

Being a resourceful girl, I hope some family will offer to take her in 

On 6/19/2025 at 7:44 AM, CHdiver said:

Very sensible to stop the account before the sum got to high. 

 

Please explain. 

 

That girl is going to need a lot more than 1.1 million to not only have a home built, but also to finish schooling and her regular living expenses for the next 5-10 years until she graduates IMO.