Several agencies have come to assist two siblings scavenging for food to survive. Initial help includes restoring water and electricity and finding employment. Neighbors were surprised, revealing the siblings are kind children who never borrow or bother anyone.
The case involves a struggling family of three: the elder brother, a political science graduate, unemployed, who takes his younger brother, recently finished high school, to scavenge trash bins at restaurants and convenience stores to find food to sustain the three—mother and two sons—because the mother is ill with no income and their water and electricity have been cut off for about two months. Their difficult living conditions were captured on video by police officers on a late-night patrol, as previously reported.Read the news: Tragic case of unemployed university graduate scavenging trash for food to sustain three lives)
Update: At 09:30 on 25 Sep 2023 at a house in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, Ms. Piyarath Parithanaporn, Director of Social Welfare, Bang Bua Thong Municipality, Mr. Chalermchai Sadjam, a municipal councilor, and officials from Nonthaburi Social Development Department delivered rice, dried food, and drinking water to Mr. Zen, 28, and Mr. Sun, 19, the two siblings scavenging for food. They also temporarily restored water and electricity to alleviate their hardship.
When asked about their mother, Mr. Zen, the elder brother, said that after being injured in an accident, their mother moved to live with their uncle in Pak Kret District.
Inside the house, officials found only a few belongings and furniture, as the two siblings said they had sold items for expenses. Water valves were found turned off; officials reopened water supply. Electricity was partially functional inside the house, but they discouraged going to the second floor. Officials and neighbors suspect the mother might be staying on the second floor.
Ms. Pathamawan Chinthanapuriwat, 49, a neighbor, said the two children are very kind. Their parents would send them to deliver goods with them. The younger rarely mingled with neighbors. Their father was a traditional medicine practitioner, and she regularly received treatment from him, so they were familiar. She last saw the younger sibling when he was studying at Rangsit University. She met their mother two months ago after her accident but has not seen her since as the house was closed. Occasionally she asked about the mother's condition, and they said the uncle was caring for her.
The elder brother seldom talks to anyone except family due to close bonds. Their father passed away 5-6 years ago. The house belongs to the siblings. They were shocked upon learning the brothers scavenged for food and did not know where they went at night. When asked, they never said. The siblings never borrowed money or asked for food and never disturbed or caused trouble to anyone.
Initially, Bang Bua Thong Municipality agencies will assist in finding employment and provide basic water and electricity to support their living. The mother's situation is still under investigation to gather more information.
Mr. Rattakorn Chinthanapuriwat, 55, a neighbor, brought a rice cooker and fan from his home for the two brothers to use. He believes their mother might be at a hospital. As a close neighbor who just learned the news, he came to check on them.
Those wishing to help the two siblings can contact Ms. Piyarath Parithanaporn, Director of Social Welfare, Bang Bua Thong Municipality, at 094-234-2251.