Community 14-Year-Old Boy Dies After Family Starves for Weeks, Surviving Only on Tap Water

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An incident has shocked the community of Pak Kret in Nonthaburi province after a 14-year-old boy was found dead in his home, having reportedly succumbed to prolonged starvation. His parents, found severely emaciated and barely conscious, were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

 

Rescue volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation were alerted to the case, after Mr Yongyosakorn 44, contacted authorities to report that his son, Master Itthikorn, had died at their home. His wife, Ms Ananya 45, was also found lying weak and unable to speak, apparently suffering from extreme malnutrition.

 

Emergency responders, accompanied by officers from Pak Kret Police Station, arrived at the family’s two-storey concrete home, where they were met with a grim scene. The residence, surrounded by overgrown vegetation, showed signs of long-term neglect.

 

Inside, in the middle of the living area, the body of young Itthikorn was found lying on the floor, reduced to skin and bones. There were no signs of physical trauma or struggle. His mother was discovered nearby in a similarly frail condition, while Mr Yongyosakorn was seated, also appearing severely weakened. Both surviving parents were immediately taken to hospital.

 

The victim’s uncle told reporters that he had received an early-morning call from his younger brother, informing him that his nephew had passed away. The uncle rushed to the scene and contacted rescue services. He explained that the couple had not been employed for years, having lived off an inheritance from a land sale. In recent months, however, his brother had begun calling for occasional help with household bills, including a recent request for assistance with an overdue electricity bill, which the uncle paid.

 

The family, he added, had been living in relative isolation. “I didn’t know things had gotten this bad. He said they hadn’t eaten in nearly a month. They were surviving on just tap water,” he said, visibly shaken.

 

A first responder at the scene confirmed the father’s account, stating that all three family members appeared to be in an advanced state of starvation. “They were frail, weak and had clearly not had proper nutrition for a long time,” the officer said. “It’s not yet clear why the family chose not to seek help.”

 

Neighbours reported that the family kept to themselves and rarely interacted with others. One neighbour recounted that food delivery riders used to frequently bring meals to the house, but that had stopped over a month ago. “After that, I never saw them leave the house. Only once in a while, I’d see the boy sitting alone outside,” the neighbour said.

 

The boy’s body is now awaiting further examination by the Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, social workers and authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the family’s situation, including whether more could have been done to prevent the loss of a young life.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-19

 

 

 

[thesetat]

So sad this happens in this day and age. I do not quite understand why the family never went out to seek help from neighbors or an agency or even the police. A month without food seems like torture albeit self inflicted. This is really bad to die a slow death from malnutrition. I hope when the mother and father get nourished again and are able to understand what they did, that they get prosecuted for the death of their son. 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

So sad this happens in this day and age. I do not quite understand why the family never went out to seek help from neighbors or an agency or even the police. A month without food seems like torture albeit self inflicted. This is really bad to die a slow death from malnutrition. I hope when the mother and father get nourished again and are able to understand what they did, that they get prosecuted for the death of their son. 

I rather doubt you know the full circumstances so you're way too quick to state who should be prosecuted.

[thesetat]

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

I rather doubt you know the full circumstances so you're way too quick to state who should be prosecuted.

clearly the OP states the boy did not eat and died from that... Given this would mean he also did not go to school since they feed the kids daily in schools. So perhaps you are too easy in your comment to rebuke me. 

[scorecard]

1 minute ago, thesetat said:

clearly the OP states the boy did not eat and died from that... Given this would mean he also did not go to school since they feed the kids daily in schools. So perhaps you are too easy in your comment to rebuke me. 

But maybe there's some red tape issue stopping the kids getting school meals, you don't know (and I don't know).

 

I repeat my earlier comment.

[save the frogs]

There are no food banks anywhere?

 

And neighbors refuse to help people in need?

 

What about begging? There are plenty of beggars who at least get enough money for a bit of food. 

 

 

[MalcolmB]

Mental issues.

No body needs to starve in Thailand.

Temples have an abundance of food monks will happily give away as they can not eat all the food themselves they get in their morning walk around.

[ChrisY1]

Temples everywhere and always have food available to anyone that needs it....such a shame to starve to death in Thailand!

[thesetat]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

But maybe there's some red tape issue stopping the kids getting school meals, you don't know (and I don't know).

 

I repeat my earlier comment.

Ohh come on man... what teacher would stand to watch one of their students dwindle to skin and bones without taking some kind of action to learn why and help find a way to feed the kid... Teachers can be cruel and sadistic but not heartless. 

[VincentRJ]

From the article:
"The residence, surrounded by overgrown vegetation, showed signs of long-term neglect."

 

This implies that the residence has a garden. Why on earth would people not have the sense to grow their own fruit and vegetables if they are struggling to pay for food?

[NorthernRyland]

He's in his 40s in Nonthaburi, surely he could find employment in the city? Not sure what your options are at that age in Thailand but a security guard if nothing else. 

[Woke to Sounds]

15 minutes ago, VincentRJ said:

This implies that the residence has a garden. Why on earth would people not have the sense to grow their own fruit and vegetables if they are struggling to pay for food?

 

Because A) They are not the sharpest pencils in the packet; or B) They are cognitively impaired due to malnutrition.

 

Terrible situation all round.

 

Starving to death has been quite the trend in Japan, where 'Hikikomori' - recluses / shut ins - are dying in their 50s and 60s now, many from malnutrition because the cash ran out and they are unemployable.

[RoryBreaker]

somethings not right here and i imagine there is a bit more to this story. i have kids and i know that the average parent would not let this happen. in the event of serious adversity, i would like to think that most parents would go to extreme lengths to ensure thier kids have food, begging, crime, etc. there's no way a parent would not feed a kid for a month surely? such a sad story this

[djayz]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

I rather doubt you know the full circumstances so you're way too quick to state who should be prosecuted.

The full circumferences are, there were two adults who chose not to go out and earn money, but instead stayed at home - even after the inheritance money dried up - and slowly let their child starve to death. There isn't a single, able-bodied Thai in this country who can't get a job here. The jobs might not be great, might not pay a lot, but it's better than watching children starving. 

[metisdead]

An off topic post and the replies have been removed.

[WEBBYB808]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

I rather doubt you know the full circumstances so you're way too quick to state who should be prosecuted.

Fact is they haven't eaten, and the boy was their responsibility.   Definitely on the family

[ikke1959]

Another sad story, due to a lack of help in any way..The boy should be in school, why was the school not in contact with the parents for a reason of being absent,. Nobody in the neighbourhood noticed that they are lost a lot of weight??? Strange as everybody in Thailand knows almost everything of everyone.. It is claimed they live in isolation, but still 

[Photoguy21]

With neighbours like that who needs enemies