Meet the young kid making rotis for a living!

[rooster59]

Meet the young kid making rotis for a living!

Image: Daily News

SAKON NAKORN: Social media was alive with comment after the story of a M1 student in the north east selling rotis on a cart hit the news.

The boy called Ball is in the first year of junior high and has lost his parents and grandmother. He lives with his grandfather but to make ends meet he has to work hard on the roti cart after finishing his studies for the day.

Apparently he has been doing this for three years already since he was about tem years old. He comes from the area of Ban Fang Daeng in the Pang Khon district of Sakon Nakorn in the north east of Thailand.

Netizens were quick to praise the young lad with one saying "What a star! He is looking after himself. So much better than many adults who have no brains and just cheat and steal for a living. Take a good look at this boy!"

Another said: "He should win an award for his efforts."

While others wished him good luck and success in the future saying he set a great example to others.

Source: Daily News

-- 2016-05-21

[ezzra]

When life gives you lemons, and this youngster has his fair share of lemons, make a lemonade they say,

kudos to him for preserving his dignity and livelihood, rather than turn to drugs and crimes as an excuse.......

[colinneil]

Well done young man, you are an inspiration to others.

[stoneyboy]

Tragic more like,the lad should be out playing with friends and chasing after girls at his age.

People should be ashamed that his innocents is being robbed while all the time the Bangkok mob get richer.

It's no more than child exploitation and shouldn't be allowed in this day and age,laws should be in place to stop this exact problem.

As always rather than deal with the problem it gets turned into a good luck story.

Utter nonsense,how many Thai visa members would like to see their children slogging their guts out making rotis after school,I for one wouldn't.

Address the problem accordingly,reform the laws to stop this and many other children being exploited at the cost of the mega rich few,subsidies this misery with a cash payment for children in this very situation,it's shameful.

Edited May 21, 2016 by stoneyboy

[bubba1]

Tragic more like,the lad should be out playing with friends and chasing after girls at his age.

People should be ashamed that his innocents is being robbed while all the time the Bangkok mob get richer.

It's no more than child exploitation and shouldn't be allowed in this day and age,laws should be in place to stop this exact problem.

As always rather than deal with the problem it gets turned into a good luck story.

Utter nonsense,how many Thai visa members would like to see their children slogging their guts out making rotis after school,I for one wouldn't.

Address the problem accordingly,reform the laws to stop this and many other children being exploited at the cost of the mega rich few,subsidies this misery with a cash payment for children in this very situation,it's shameful.

Your western way of thinking does not work in Thailand. Cash payments LOL you are totally out of touch with reality Asia does not run like your western socialist mentality.

[cumgranosalum]

yet another example of the authorities turning a blind eye to child labour.

[bubba1]

yet another example of the authorities turning a blind eye to child labour.

So would you rather have him starve to death.

The young kid will be rich some day learning to work like that a young age. He will have a good life while all the old liberals living in a bedsit in the UK waiting on their next dole cheque will wish they would have worked harder.

[cumgranosalum]

yet another example of the authorities turning a blind eye to child labour.

So would you rather have him starve to death.

The young kid will be rich some day learning to work like that a young age. He will have a good life while all the old liberals living in a bedsit in the UK waiting on their next dole cheque will wish they would have worked harder.

My guess is you have no idea of how facile your reply is?

Yet another treaty that Thailand ignores - get informed -

http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/childlabour/intlconvs.shtml

Edited May 21, 2016 by cumgranosalum

[awayego]

Tragic more like,the lad should be out playing with friends and chasing after girls at his age.

People should be ashamed that his innocents is being robbed while all the time the Bangkok mob get richer.

It's no more than child exploitation and shouldn't be allowed in this day and age,laws should be in place to stop this exact problem.

As always rather than deal with the problem it gets turned into a good luck story.

Utter nonsense,how many Thai visa members would like to see their children slogging their guts out making rotis after school,I for one wouldn't.

Address the problem accordingly,reform the laws to stop this and many other children being exploited at the cost of the mega rich few,subsidies this misery with a cash payment for children in this very situation,it's shameful.

Your western way of thinking does not work in Thailand. Cash payments LOL you are totally out of touch with reality Asia does not run like your western socialist mentality.

“Western socialist mentality”? Really?

I would have thought/hoped that concern and compassion for, particularly, disadvantaged children deprived of their childhood, was a universal trait and not one limited to “Western socialist mentality”!

Just because Asia “runs” differently does not mean we have to accept it, or ignore it, and abandon basic principles of humanity.

We are all 'world citizens' and I would suggest it is YOU who is out of touch with that reality.

[cumgranosalum]

the problem with this is that it is being used as "feel-good" propaganda in a country that refuses to live up to its international obligations.

[cumgranosalum]

Tragic more like,the lad should be out playing with friends and chasing after girls at his age.

People should be ashamed that his innocents is being robbed while all the time the Bangkok mob get richer.

It's no more than child exploitation and shouldn't be allowed in this day and age,laws should be in place to stop this exact problem.

As always rather than deal with the problem it gets turned into a good luck story.

Utter nonsense,how many Thai visa members would like to see their children slogging their guts out making rotis after school,I for one wouldn't.

Address the problem accordingly,reform the laws to stop this and many other children being exploited at the cost of the mega rich few,subsidies this misery with a cash payment for children in this very situation,it's shameful.

Your western way of thinking does not work in Thailand. Cash payments LOL you are totally out of touch with reality Asia does not run like your western socialist mentality.

It's nothing to do with East or West; this is a child who deserves to be looked after....and he's just the tip of the iceberg

Edited May 21, 2016 by cumgranosalum

[BlindMagician]

Tragic more like,the lad should be out playing with friends and chasing after girls at his age.

People should be ashamed that his innocents is being robbed while all the time the Bangkok mob get richer.

It's no more than child exploitation and shouldn't be allowed in this day and age,laws should be in place to stop this exact problem.

As always rather than deal with the problem it gets turned into a good luck story.

Utter nonsense,how many Thai visa members would like to see their children slogging their guts out making rotis after school,I for one wouldn't.

Address the problem accordingly,reform the laws to stop this and many other children being exploited at the cost of the mega rich few,subsidies this misery with a cash payment for children in this very situation,it's shameful.

Your western way of thinking does not work in Thailand. Cash payments LOL you are totally out of touch with reality Asia does not run like your western socialist mentality.

Thinking does not seem to work in Thailand.

[ksamuiguy]

More stories like this is what we need, but with out the negative comments by uninformed "Non Thai's"

What we don't need is "farangs" negative comments on how Thai society works and has worked for a long time.

In a perfect world things might be different, but it is NOT a perfect world and it will never be!

Congratulations to this enterprising Thai lad, keep up the good work.

[does]

Awayego,

Until Thailand becomes your Utopia, how about setting up a small fund to help this child through school so he doesn't have to be used as slave labor.

I will contribute 1000 baht.

Or are you a armchair Utopianist.

As the say goes, "Improve the world, start with your own."

[cumgranosalum]

despite having made progress.......

"children in Thailand continue to engage in child labor in agriculture, including in the shrimp and seafood processing sector, and in the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation. Thailand remains weak in its enforcement efforts, particularly in the fishing, agriculture, manufacturing, and home-based business sectors, as well as in the informal sector. The Government also lacks nationwide data on child labor, which impedes the effectiveness of policies and programs."

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/thailand

[cumgranosalum]

Awayego,

Until Thailand becomes your Utopia, how about setting up a small fund to help this child through school so he doesn't have to be used as slave labor.

I will contribute 1000 baht.

Or are you a armchair Utopianist.

As the say goes, "Improve the world, start with your own."

Really? What saying is that? and where does it say that when you see something wrong like abuse of children you should do/say nothing?

[ross163103]

I think a few people on this forum have a twisted idea of what's going on here. Labor laws are put in place to protect workers from companies exploiting them, not to protect an individual that has shown initiative and chooses to work hard because he wants/needs too. I wish some of my extended Thai family members were this proactive/responsible.

I agree with the one post that said, is it better he's working and earning money on his own or would it be better if he's selling drugs and committing crimes?

On another note; I started working at the age of ten or so doing odd jobs for money, it taught me responsibility and how to earn money on my own. When old enough to enter the workforce I already had a good base and experience that employers valued. My hat's off to this kid and I wish him all the best.

And for all those saying western society is different, it is, but good work ethics are the same in any society/culture.

[bubba1]

Awayego,

Until Thailand becomes your Utopia, how about setting up a small fund to help this child through school so he doesn't have to be used as slave labor.

I will contribute 1000 baht.

Or are you a armchair Utopianist.

As the say goes, "Improve the world, start with your own."

These losers won't reach into their own pocket. Just blow a lot of hot air.

[rbmcn]

One of the world's wealthiest businessmen started off penniless in the post-war period selling plastic flowers from a wheeled stall in Hong Kong. Now has a huge international empire. Good luck to Ball.

[Jedsada3]

“Western socialist mentality”? Really?

I would have thought/hoped that concern and compassion for, particularly, disadvantaged children deprived of their childhood, was a universal trait and not one limited to “Western socialist mentality”!

Just because Asia “runs” differently does not mean we have to accept it, or ignore it, and abandon basic principles of humanity.

We are all 'world citizens' and I would suggest it is YOU who is out of touch with that reality.

You might be right, we don't have to accept it...

But while the NGOs, the UNESCO and all those "I know better" who are offended by children work discuss without end what is better for them, children remain hungry. Then it's better to see them selling food for survive than sewing sport shoes or football balls that you will buy without thinking where it's coming from.

Instead of shouting it's a shame, why don't you sponsor that courageous little man?..

Show us you are in touch with the reality and work to change it!

[English 1]

Yes, he has proved himself and now needs indeeds deserves help from those not in dire rights.

[meatboy]

who's goner pay for grandads LEO if he dont work.

[soalbundy]

It is disgusting that this should be necessary, where is the state care? right,non existent,this poor little fella is a child he shouldn't be expected to look after himself

he should be at school having a childhood.

[Norvid]

The BOY is brave/strong and hard working. He is a very good BOY considering his situation however, he is only a boy who needs to study to pursue his interests, and it must be some agency in Thailand to support a child in this situation. Child shouldn't work for a living. Period! All children could work part time to get the value of money. Scouts, me and my kids did it. Scouts for their own vacations. Me to get something special. My kids the same way. Kids need to understand that they don't grow on trees, or just come from parents pocket. Is there any Thai agency to help a child who lost his parents?

[meatboy]

sorry norvid its the other way round in thailand.

[awayego]

Awayego,

Until Thailand becomes your Utopia, how about setting up a small fund to help this child through school so he doesn't have to be used as slave labor.

I will contribute 1000 baht.

Or are you a armchair Utopianist.

As the say goes, "Improve the world, start with your own."

Awayego,

Until Thailand becomes your Utopia, how about setting up a small fund to help this child through school so he doesn't have to be used as slave labor.

I will contribute 1000 baht.

Or are you a armchair Utopianist.

As the say goes, "Improve the world, start with your own."

These losers won't reach into their own pocket. Just blow a lot of hot air.

You might be right, we don't have to accept it...

But while the NGOs, the UNESCO and all those "I know better" who are offended by children work discuss without end what is better for them, children remain hungry. Then it's better to see them selling food for survive than sewing sport shoes or football balls that you will buy without thinking where it's coming from.

Instead of shouting it's a shame, why don't you sponsor that courageous little man?..

Show us you are in touch with the reality and work to change it!

Yes, of course actions speak louder than words and my (ex!)wife and I sponsored deprived children for very many years, though, admittedly, now that I am retired and on a more modest income, I am no longer able to do so.

And, yes, I still try to not knowingly buy goods where there is no dubious background to production, although it’s not always easy to discern.

But I would argue that by taking such action we are, in effect, ‘underwriting’ the inaction and woefully inadequate response from agencies, and particularly governments, whose failure to act effectively means that other, lesser forms of support are necessary.

And, by the way, I wasn’t aware I was “shouting it’s a shame” but I thank you, nevertheless, for conceding “You might be right, we don't have to accept it.”!

If those so quick to jump to their own conclusions because I commented the way that I did, OK, I can accept criticism if those commentators have themselves "reached into their own pockets" and are not just "blowing a lot of hot air"!

Edited May 21, 2016 by awayego

[The Deerhunter]

Tragic more like,the lad should be out playing with friends and chasing after girls at his age.

People should be ashamed that his innocents is being robbed while all the time the Bangkok mob get richer.

It's no more than child exploitation and shouldn't be allowed in this day and age,laws should be in place to stop this exact problem.

As always rather than deal with the problem it gets turned into a good luck story.

Utter nonsense,how many Thai visa members would like to see their children slogging their guts out making rotis after school,I for one wouldn't.

Address the problem accordingly,reform the laws to stop this and many other children being exploited at the cost of the mega rich few,subsidies this misery with a cash payment for children in this very situation,it's shameful.

Grand statements to change the world are all very well, but for this kid right now and for the last 3 years, they are just hot air.

Three years ago his parents died somehow. He was faced with several options. Starve to death; wait for the world to change to make it a better place for people like him; throw himself upon the state, (if it had a place for him); find some rich liberal with lots of money, like perhaps yourself, to help him get a university degree; beg, steal & cheat for a living or make the best of the few options available with a relative. With huge credit to him, he presumably chose to stay with the only person he knew and trusted and work out a solution. It is not ideal but you will be surprised to know how often kids like this make it really well in the world. Read the autobiographies of some of the world's most successful people. Stories abound in every country of young folk who by dint of hard work, and an eye for an opportunity managed to rise above appalling home situations and make lemons into lemonade. I do not envy this young guy. In comparison to his life, my upbringing was a Western Middle-class dream. However, I wish him every success in his life and if I was in or near his town I would find him and patronize his stall, at every opportunity. I hope his hard work pays off and he has a happy, successful life later. A great young man to make this choice, of those available to him. More power to him.

[kinmaew]

Tragedy more likely. Where are social services and funding to support the child - Non existent? Child labour is what this is and an international embarrassment.

[MyrH]

So sad... He's a courageous young man but that's not a life for a kid... Doing a few hours here and there to help his grand father is one thing but doing this every night? I don't care if he's Thai, Asian, African or American.... He's a child! Thailand should not be proud of that story! It's sad!

[little mary sunshine]

I have heard the term HI-SO used frequently. Mostly

With wealthy, tho mostly crooked people, getting their

Spoil brat "kids"...ages up to 37.. Out of trouble, drunks,

Drugs murder by auto charges. As I read about this

Young Thai boy I thought of the REAL HI-SO of this

Country...people like this...in the wake of adversity at

The age of 10, is doing for himself, helping his grandfather

And going to school. Only the best to you, your Parents

And Grandmother I am sure are so proud of you. A true

HI-SO in my eyes!!!