Community Rallies to Help 67-Year-Old Woman Stripped of Poverty Aid

Villagers have grown impatient waiting for government help and are taking matters into their own hands for Samai, a 67-year-old woman from Prakon Chai district in Buriram province. She lives alone in a simple hut without electricity or gas, surviving on boiled eggs, yet her poverty assistance card was revoked after officials discovered her son had taken out a life insurance policy on her as a financial cushion for her funeral expenses.

On July 22, 2025, villagers who learned of her situation visited her home. After witnessing her dire living conditions, they unanimously agreed that she did not deserve to lose her poverty assistance, especially given her deteriorating circumstances. Some villagers purchased corrugated metal sheets and hired workers to replace her leaking roof, fearing she would have no shelter when it rains. Others brought rice and dried food supplies. All of them wanted to act immediately rather than wait for government help, fearing assistance would come too late.

Noom (a pseudonym), a villager who originally posted photos of Samai's home on social media, explained that she was moved by the sight and posted without expecting such widespread attention. Similarly, Tharadhat, a 50-year-old resident, said she was skeptical such conditions existed in her village until she visited in person. Shocked by the deteriorating roof, she decided to buy steel roofing materials and immediately hired a contractor to repair it.

Meanwhile, Naphak Booncharoen, director of the social welfare office at Pangoo Subdistrict Administrative Organization, noted that the office had previously requested home repairs for Samai but is currently operating under a budget freeze. He also pointed out that the land where she lives does not belong to her, and said officials will explore further assistance options.