Another fine example of the generosity of the Thai public has come to light after the heart-breaking tale of an elderly tuk tuk driver and his son, 10, made national headlines last week.
Since the story went viral on social media people all across the kingdom have banded together and donated 1.3 million ($40,500) baht to help the stricken father and son.
For almost four months now 62-year-old Rungroj Thipparat and his son Kampanat have been sleeping in their rented tuk tuk, washing at petrol stations and receiving food from local temples.
Working as a Songthaew driver in Bangkok’s Hat Yai area Rungroj earns about 200-300 baht ($6-9) per day but from that the rent of the tuk tuk removes 120 baht per day, the money left was not enough and they lost their home.
His plucky son Kampanat attends a government school after helping out monks at a local temple every day.
When speaking about his circumstances Rungroj said he was sorry that he could not give his son a normal childhood as he could barely afford clothes let alone toys for his son to play with.
Following their plight going viral a press conference was held yesterday at a learning centre where Rungroj and his son were told that 1.35 million baht had been donated to them by the Thai public along with a piece of land in Bangkok on which they could now build a new home.
In tears Rungroj said “I have nothing to give but my thanks.”
Kapanat has said that when he grows up he wants to join the police.
(Source:-Coconuts)