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Published on November 28, 2007

The case of the young boy who sought help for his poor family in Phichit province by writing to His Majesty the King is a shocking real-life story that, incredibly, exists at a time when campaigning politicians and government agencies are trumpeting improvements in the welfare system and the overall well-being of people at the grass-roots level. Although the boy's family has finally received help after intense media publicity regarding its plight, the matter by no means represents a happy ending, for there are countless more at the lower end of the poverty scale.

This case is just the tip of the iceberg, and it provokes the further question of exactly how many more people in other parts of the country are similarly suffering but their ordeals are unheard of - if not deliberately ignored - by those in power and society at large.

The sad story of Chatri Nadda, 12, came to light after he wrote a letter to His Majesty on August 10 relating how his family was living a low, destitute life in a ramshackle home in an overgrown field in Phichit's Muang district. As Chatri said in his letter, his father is a self-employed manual worker and his mother a housewife who suffers from a mental disorder. Chatri has an elder sister and a younger brother. The three are studying at Wat Bueng Sifai School in Tambon Tha Luang. Chatri wrote that he had to help support his family by seeking farm jobs in return for Bt40-Bt50 a day outside his school time.

"On some days when I can find no job, I have to go out into the field to catch frogs and snakes for my family to eat. On some days when I can catch nothing, I have to beg for food at a neighbourhood Buddhist temple," he wrote.

Two months after the letter was mailed, the Royal Household Bureau contacted Phichit provincial officials to look into the case and help the family. The provincial governor led officials and media representatives to visit the Nadda family last week and what they saw left them speechless and depressed. The decaying home where the family lives sits leaning on the edge of the field, with big holes in the floor and walls. The available space on the old wooden floor is barely enough for the five family members to lay their heads down at night. Old pillows, a few items of clothing, blankets and a few utensils were the only visible assets found in the room.

Since their story was made public, help has poured in for the Naddas. Provincial officials have promised them a new house, initial financial aid and schooling funds for the three children. Other non-governmental organisations and members of the general public have offered additional help, including medical treatment for the ailing mother.

Once again, the long arm of the administrative authorities and the generosity of the Thai people have commendably reached out to those in need. This demonstrates the virtuous and benevolent character of the people of this country, who never shirk in the face of crisis. If only the public had a greater chance to know what goes wrong for whom.

The case of the Nadda family should serve as a reminder that many poor families are suffering a similar or even worse plight. Many of them go unnoticed by most government agencies and the general public.

A further serious point to consider as a result of this case is why the Naddas did not first seek help from local government agencies, or why those agencies did not help them before Chatri wrote to the King. Who knows how long the family would have had to endure its circumstances had the Royal Household Bureau not taken action on the matter? And for those who are poor and illiterate, how can they seek royal attention the way Chatri did? There are government public welfare offices in every province and they must effectively perform their duty in helping those at the bottom rung of society - or at least educate them on their rights and their entitlement to help.

If poverty-stricken rural people are left to think only of seeking the King's help at every turn, there must be something wrong with the local administrative system. The authorities that are responsible for basic public welfare services need to be more alert.

The Nation