Report Starvation Claims Life of Thai Teen as Family Faces Severe Hardship

[snoop1130]

Yongsakorn | Photo via Matichon

 

In a heart-wrenching case from Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, 14-year-old Ith tragically died of starvation, highlighting the severe poverty faced by his family. The Por Tek Tung Rescue Foundation was alerted to the dire situation on the morning of June 18, when Ith's uncle, 45-year-old Thotsaponporn, reported the boy's death.

 

Upon arrival at the family’s two-storey concrete house in Pak Kret district, rescue workers discovered an emaciated Ith lying lifelessly on the floor. The house, surrounded by overgrown weeds and grass, bore silent witness to the family’s hardships. Ith’s parents, 44-year-old Yongsakorn and 45-year-old Ananya, were found nearby, severely weakened and unable to communicate. They were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.

 

Thotsaponporn explained that his brother Yongsakorn called him that morning about Ith’s tragic death. Aware of their financial struggles, he had occasionally helped with utility bills but had not visited the family for some time due to the distance between them.

 

The family’s financial woes began over a decade ago when Yongsakorn and Ananya ceased working, having previously relied on money made from selling inherited land. However, communication with Thotsaponporn was scarce, and he was unaware of the severity of their condition.

 

It wasn’t until Ith’s passing that Thotsaponporn learned the family had not eaten for nearly a month, surviving only on tap water due to extreme poverty.

 

Neighbouring residents described the family as reclusive, with a noticeable change in their behaviour recently. A neighbour recounted how food delivery was once common but had abruptly ceased. Despite often seeing Ith sitting outside alone, interactions with him were nonexistent.

 

Rescue workers expressed deep concern over why the family did not seek help earlier from neighbours or support organisations. The lack of outreach has raised questions about the availability and awareness of local support systems for those in need.

 

This tragic incident underscores the urgent requirement for more robust community support and intervention mechanisms to prevent such heartbreaking occurrences in the future. The case starkly highlights the invisible struggles of those living in poverty and the critical need for greater societal awareness and assistance.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-19

 

 

[hotchilli]

Tragic...

[mikeymike100]

Very sad. Its the 21st century and this still goes on...crazy!

[Briggsy]

There is something very wrong with this story. This sounds like incredible spin.

 

Nobody will starve to death in Thailand without external factors. Thailand is a tropical country and a food exporter. In other countries, the death of a 14-year-old under these very strange circumstances would lead to an extensive investigation and probably the prosecution of the parents. 

 

Don't take these things at face value.

[john11k]

So tragic ,  this day and age that a young boy with his life ahead of him , should die in these circumstances 

makes me appreciate what I have. 
RIP,  young man.   🙏

[Thumbs]

Something seems very odd about this story, is there no temple nearby, 14 Yr old why wasn't he in school, where were his friends?  Must be difficult to die of starvation in an area like nontaburi, 

[Thingamabob]

There must be more to this tragic story. The parents have some questions to answer, to put it mildly.

RIP young man. Just hoping you are now in a better place.

[cdemundo]

Heart breaking.

Mental illness in parents and child?

Not jumping to that conclusion just trying to think of an explanation.

Horrible to think of starving to death in the midst of plenty.

 

 

[Tailwagsdog]

Sold the Land, living on food deliveries? How about a sack of rice, a vege garden, some makro chicken or pork on special... Sorry but evolution intervenes to sort those with no survival skills in the big bad world/jungle.

[ryandb]

Absolutely mindblowing and tragic, while there isn't an abundance of money, there always seems to be something to eat in Thailand whether it's catching toads, mice, picking wild leaves or even fruit, which is everywhere, going to the temple (ok pride might get in the way of the parents but the kid?). Are we sure this isn't some sort of parasite/disease that left them completely lethargic and unable to communicate?

[Briggsy]

You have the uncle ...

apparently relating the tale told to him by the father....

apparently telling him the money had run out....

and as a result, the 14-year-old nephew, his own son, had starved to death.

 

No mention at any point of police or local government asking any questions.

 

This story as it stands has more holes in it than a Swiss cheese. A lot more information is required before we start to approach anything like the truth.

[black tabby12345]

2 hours ago, Briggsy said:

There is something very wrong with this story. This sounds like incredible spin.

 

Nobody will starve to death in Thailand without external factors. Thailand is a tropical country and a food exporter. In other countries, the death of a 14-year-old under these very strange circumstances would lead to an extensive investigation and probably the prosecution of the parents. 

 

Don't take these things at face value.

 

Very sad indeed.

Nearly 20 years in Thailand by now, haven't really heard anyone starved to death.

Have met several homeless people. But they rarely looked really skinny.

Even street cats and dogs are often plump here.

The real suffers are sometimes "invisible" as mentioned in the article.

[Briggsy]

1 minute ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Very sad indeed.

Nearly 20 years in Thailand by now, haven't really heard anyone starved to death.

Have met several homeless people. But they rarely looked really skinny.

Even street cats and dogs are often plump here.

The real suffers are sometimes "invisible" as mentioned in the article.

One of the main drivers of Chinese immigration in the late 19th and early 20th century into Thailand was famine in China. They knew they could never starve in Thailand. 

 

It is very sad that a child has died. However the underlying reason for his death was not a lack of food. There is absolutely a huge part of this story missing. Could be sickness, maltreatment, very strange parental beliefs, anorexia or many more. Until there is a thorough investigation, the reason will not be known.

[mogandave]

Child starves while the adults livea? Sounds a bit suspect. 

 

RIP young man.

[black tabby12345]

4 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

One of the main drivers of Chinese immigration in the late 19th and early 20th century into Thailand was famine in China. They knew they could never starve in Thailand. 

 

It is very sad that a child has died. However the underlying reason for his death was not a lack of food. There is absolutely a huge part of this story missing. Could be sickness, maltreatment, very strange parental beliefs, anorexia or many more. Until there is a thorough investigation, the reason will not be known.

 

Hi, thank you for your post and interesting remark(parents' belief/acts).

 

The name of this kingdom in old time: Siam that means millions of rice paddies; food abundance.

 

That is why news of someone died of hunger stuns the readers this much.

 

 

 

[jvs]

13 minutes ago, mogandave said:

Child starves while the adults livea? Sounds a bit suspect. 

 

RIP young man.

Did you actually read the Op?

I know comprehension is not your strongest point.

[mogandave]

9 minutes ago, jvs said:

Did you actually read the Op?

I know comprehension is not your strongest point.

If you read it, why not tell me what I missed? 

 

 

[Thailand J]

😪

[phetphet]

How can people get in that state in this day and age?  There must be more to this story. Why couldn't they ask someone for help if things were getting that bad? 

[Taboo2]

This is insane!!!  There are Monks and Temples all over this country...how could this happen?