A viral clip with 12 million views shows a father traveling by train from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Ratchaburi without money, walking to find his son. A good Samaritan helped him reach his son. At the moment they met, the son shouted “Dad,” and they embraced, crying.
On 26 Jul, a viral clip was posted on Facebook by “Chaba Kaew,” a good Samaritan who helped a man walking from Ratchaburi train station to find his son at Wat Mai Si Muang. She wrote, “I saw this man walking for a while, so I bought him instant noodles, snacks, and water. Curious, I asked where he was going. He said he took a train from the south to Ratchaburi and was walking barefoot from the station to Wat Mai Si Muang in Damnoen Saduak to find his son. I offered to take him there, and what you see in the clip moved me to tears. #WatMaiSiMuang.” The clip attracted strong interest from social media and news outlets, accumulating 12 million views by 03:00 and over 49,000 shares and 490,000 likes.
When asked, Ms. Chopaka Wangyen, the Facebook owner, said she was driving home from work around 17:30 when she saw the man walking with his head down. She stopped to ask at a nearby shop and learned he was asking directions to Damnoen. She initially thought he might have friends to pick him up. Later, returning from the market, she saw him still walking and felt sorry, so she bought him noodles, snacks, and water. When she asked where he was going, he said Damnoen. She asked why no relatives came to get him; he said he had no phone or money and planned to walk. She asked her husband, who offered to drive him. She then asked where he wanted to go; he said Wat Mai Si Muang to find his son, so they gave him a ride.
Chopaka continued that at the time she did not think much, and her daughter just recorded the help they gave him. When they arrived at the temple, the man bowed with tears, which made her emotional. At the moment he met his son, it moved her to tears; the son ran to hug him, saying “Dad, Dad,” as seen in the clip. She said she never expected such interest in the story. They didn’t know who he was or where he came from, they just wanted to help him reunite with his son. Some comments speculated about the man’s background, but she believes if given a chance and he still fails, then he must be left to his own path.
Later, reporters spoke with Mr. Nantapong, 35, from Cha-uat district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, the man in the clip. He explained he walked across provinces to find his son at Wat Mai Si Muang. He admitted his troubles began after conflicts with his stepfather, making it impossible to stay home. He went to work on a pineapple farm but lost contact with his son for nearly five months. Attempts to reach his son's mother were blocked on all channels. Worried, he decided to search for his son and learned the child was at Wat Mai Si Muang in Ratchaburi.
He traveled with just over 50 baht, taking a train from Pranburi station in Prachuap Khiri Khan to Ratchaburi station, arriving with about 20 baht left for instant noodles and water to survive. He then asked for directions and walked on foot from early morning, admitting it was tiring but hopeful to see his son’s face. Around 17:00, a good Samaritan helped him reach the temple. Seeing his son for the first time filled him with overwhelming joy and speechlessness because he had nearly lost hope and didn’t know what he would do if he failed to find him.
Mr. Nantapong also admitted he had past mistakes involving drugs that led to imprisonment, which caused family problems and separation from his son. He has since quit drugs entirely and is determined to turn his life around.
However, he decided not to take his son home yet because he lacks stable housing and financial resources. He believes that leaving his son under the care of the abbot at Wat Mai Si Muang will provide better care, discipline, education, and a brighter future than struggling with him now.
Mr. Nantapong expressed gratitude to the abbot of Wat Mai Si Muang for kindly taking in his son and to the good Samaritan who helped him by buying food and escorting him to the temple during his most difficult and darkest times.
The abbot of Wat Mai Si Muang in Ratchaburi, Phra Kru Sophon Chantrangsi, revealed that the boy in the clip was brought to the temple by his grandmother about 7–8 months ago. At first, the boy’s development was slow, but the temple has provided good care with shelter, nutritious food, and schooling support. Now, the boy’s development has greatly improved; he is cheerful, has friends to play with, and is healthy.
The abbot said when the boy’s father arrived and identified himself, they called the boy. At first, the boy did not recognize who was there, but as soon as he saw his father, he shouted “Dad! Dad!” and ran into his arms, crying loudly. It was a deeply emotional moment, impossible to hold back tears, showing the powerful bond of love between father and son.
When asked about the possibility of the father taking the boy back, the abbot explained that this is not possible at present for two main reasons: the father is not yet ready, lacking stable housing and steady employment; and the legal guardianship issue, since the grandmother brought the child to the temple, so consent and pickup must come from her if the child is to leave.
The abbot said he plans to formally speak with the father to discuss his lifestyle, job prospects, and plans to establish himself. The temple does not prevent the father from visiting and spending time with his son anytime.
Finally, the abbot urged society to give chances to those who have made mistakes and want to start anew. He reminded everyone to care for their families well, as no love is greater than the love within a family.