Journalists' Association Aids Woman Stripped of Welfare Eligibility for 9 Years
A 60-year-old woman caring for her paralyzed son has been denied welfare for nine years due to a land registration error, but received support from journalists and community leaders after media intervention highlighted her plight.
The Chachoengsao Journalists Association, led by President Kaonggiat Putthirangsimaphorn, visited the home of Sakorn Ratana, 60, a housewife caring for her disabled son Sutthianan Khamto, 40, who was paralyzed in a car accident 20 years ago and is now bedridden with severe pressure wounds. Sakorn became the sole breadwinner after her husband's death more than a decade ago, but has been repeatedly stripped of her state welfare card eligibility over nine years because the system shows her name linked to more than three rai of land in central Nakhon Si Thammarat. Despite multiple appeal attempts, she received no relief, prompting her to seek help from journalists to fight for justice.
Following media coverage, the association's leadership, including Vice Presidents Asa Chanphittak and Khanomsak Angsiri, coordinated with the provincial Buddhist abbot and village elder Kritsa Mahaviriyo Thamai to deliver aid. They provided rice, canned goods, instant noodles, drinking water, and cash to ease the family's suffering and give Sakorn strength to continue caring for her son. Sakorn expressed deep gratitude to the association, the temple, and the village elder, vowing to persevere in her son's care while hoping her welfare appeal will finally be approved, allowing her family a better quality of life.
