Former Conscript Border Hero Returns Home in Shock to Find Mother and 9-Year-Old Sister Living in Dilapidated Shed
A discharged border soldier from Kamphaeng Phet province discovered his mother and 9-year-old sister living in a deteriorating metal shed after being evicted by relatives while he served nine months at the Thai-Lao border. The 22-year-old f
A former conscript and border hero who served at Sadao Pass returned home in shock after being discharged on May 1st, only to find his mother and 9-year-old sister had been evicted by relatives and were living in a deteriorating shed. On May 20th, a reporter visited house number 74 in Nong Pling subdistrict, Kamphaeng Phet province, after receiving reports of the family's hardship. Warawut Somngoen, 22, is a former conscript from the 10th Cavalry Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Nan province and a former sergeant instructor who had recently been discharged.
The family's dwelling is merely a makeshift shelter converted from an old tractor garage, with a roof and walls covered in corroded metal sheeting and wooden frames that provide no protection from sun or rain. During heavy downpours, the family must scramble to find shelter from leaking water.
Warawut revealed his frustration, explaining that he had served on the front lines at Hill 677 near Sadao Pass in Ubon Ratchathani province for nine months. However, during his military service, his mother Waree Saensoem, 48, who works as a laborer and had divorced his father ten years prior, fell into conflict with an aunt who owned their house and was forced to move. His mother and 9-year-old sister have lived in this converted garage for over a year.
Upon returning from leave, Warawut was shocked and deeply troubled by their living conditions. During his service, he had filed requests for assistance with his unit, though he was initially overlooked and the matter was eventually forgotten. Now unemployed and struggling to find work, he is attempting to support his family.
Warawut appealed emotionally to government agencies and relevant authorities to investigate his family's plight and provide assistance to all three family members. The deteriorating conditions make it impossible to sleep when it rains.
His mother Waree, speaking through tears, expressed sympathy for her son who went to fight for the nation, only to return to such difficult circumstances. She admitted suffering greatly during rainy nights when the family must scramble to escape seeping water. Nevertheless, she remains proud of her son's service to protect national sovereignty.
The family owns approximately 2 acres of vacant land nearby and is appealing to government agencies to support the construction of a permanent residence so the family can have stable and safe shelter.
