Law Graduate Jobless, Scavenges Trash With Teen Brother to Feed Family
A law graduate and his teenage brother have turned to scavenging trash at restaurants and shops to feed their family after the graduate lost his job and their mother was injured in a hit-and-run accident, leaving them without income or util
A law graduate who became unemployed has been scavenging trash bins at restaurants and convenience stores with his 19-year-old brother, a recent high school graduate, to find food for their family of three. The family faces severe hardship after the elder brother lost his job and cannot find new work, while their mother was hit by a hit-and-run driver and can no longer work. Water and electricity have been cut off for two months due to unpaid bills, leaving the household with no income.
In an interview on September 24, the younger brother, B (pseudonym), 19, explained that scavenging started only a week ago as a last resort. He collects leftover food from bins outside shops and restaurants, finding enough to feed the family three meals a day. He rejected the idea of asking temples for food, saying scavenging doesn't burden anyone and provides enough to survive while waiting for employment. Both brothers continue searching for jobs.
B acknowledged that life without water and electricity is difficult but says the family has adapted—he charges his phone outside, uses free WiFi, and relies on stored water and public pumps. He has not continued his education but believes it's not too late to study if opportunity arises. When asked what help he needs, B mentioned that reconnecting water and electricity would improve their situation significantly; the water bill stands at around 3,000-4,000 baht and the electric bill at 7,000-8,000 baht. However, he stressed he doesn't want to burden anyone and fears criticism from those who don't understand their circumstances.
