Single Mother Loses Poor Card After Medical Debt for Disabled Son
A 64-year-old single mother in Buriram lost her welfare card after the system flagged medical debt incurred treating her disabled son's illness, leaving her struggling to afford rice and basics on day-labor wages.
In Buriram province, a 64-year-old single mother named Paveenrisaa Sunanthochai has come forward seeking help after losing her welfare card benefits in a new round of screening. The system flagged her as having debt exceeding program limits, though her debt stems entirely from borrowing to treat her disabled son's medical condition. Since grade 5, her son suffered from an enlarged spleen requiring surgery, which eventually left him partially paralyzed despite treatment attempts beginning years ago.
Every day, the mother leaves her disabled son at home and works day-labor jobs to earn money for rice and basic food for both of them. Though she volunteers as a village health worker earning 2,000 baht monthly and receives 600 baht in disability benefits, her son's disability allowance is recent. The state welfare card, which provided 300 baht per month, was her lifeline in lean months, allowing her to buy essentials like rice, eggs, and canned fish.
The loss of that benefit has devastated her already precarious finances. Monthly expenses for utilities, food, rice, and supplies for her son's care already strain her meager income. She has filed an appeal but is uncertain of the outcome. She is calling on the government to reconsider the program's debt threshold and examine the genuine hardship of her circumstances and the medical origins of her obligations.
Anyone wishing to donate rice, dry food, or diapers for disabled persons can contact 084-280-9378.
