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Published on November 20, 2007

In a letter written in August, Chatree Nadda detailed how he worked at any job he could find to support his family.

"To the Father of the Nation … I usually stand guard at a duck coop at night on my holidays. I am paid Bt40 a night. If I don't do this job, I go to carry rice sacks between 8am and 5pm. I get Bt50 for this job. If I cannot find such jobs, I try to catch frogs and snakes at night for food. If I cannot find these animals, I go to Luang Por Boonlert at Beung Seefai Temple for help. I have done so every day because my family is so poor and destitute.

"I look to Your Majesty as the last hope for my life and my family. We need a house and I need education. My siblings and I would like to receive a good education so that we can get good jobs after our graduation.

We would like to repay our parents. From as far back as I can remember, they have always endured hardship. I turn to Your Majesty for help. May Your Majesty provide solace in my life ..."

The letter was dated August 10 and signed by Chatree.

Chatree's elder sister is in Grade 6 and his younger brother is in Grade 3. All are students at the Beung Seefai School. Their father is a manual worker, while their mother has mental problems.

In response to Chatree's letter to the King, the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary wrote to Phichit Governor Preecha Ruangjan asking him to look into Chatree's problems.

Preecha and representatives of relevant agencies visited yesterday Chatree's home to determine what forms of assistance could be given.

Chatree's home is little more than a ramshackle hut with one old pan, an old pot, two worn-out blankets and a mosquito net.

"There's salt but no other seasoning, not even fish sauce," Preecha said.

The Thai Red Cross Society has provided consumer items for the family while the local social-development office has offered to find jobs for Chatree's parents.

"All three children will receive free education," Preecha said.

He said a house under a project in honour of His Majesty would be given to Chatree's family and it would be located on a plot of land near a pond.

Chatree was overwhelmed by the assistance offered. "I would like to thank everyone who has helped my family," he said.

His teacher, Lamai Sangkrit, praised Chatree as a dutiful and good son. "He loves his parents, his siblings and his friends. He cares about them much more than himself," Lamai said.

The Nation

Phichit