Social Media Activist Mediates Funeral Fund Dispute in Kanchanaburi
Social media activist Tam Baa Phlang mediated a dispute in Kanchanaburi where a subdistrict administrator allegedly withheld 100,000 baht in funeral assistance funds from a deceased woman's family, reaching a 50-50 split agreement after neg
On September 9, 2025, Sitthira Biabangerd, known as Tam Baa Phlang, traveled to Nong Hya Subdistrict in Mueang District, Kanchanaburi, after 34-year-old Thidarattha requested his assistance. She claimed the subdistrict administrator had taken approximately 100,000 baht in funeral assistance funds from her mother's estate.
When Thidarattha learned of the situation and attempted to recover the money, the administrator offered only 20,000 baht, arguing that her mother had missed contribution payments to the funeral assistance fund and therefore was ineligible. Thidarattha explained that her mother had been a regular contributor but stopped sending payments after falling ill. When her mother became sick, Thidarattha attempted to make contributions on her behalf but was refused by the administrator, who stated that missing payments for over three months resulted in membership cancellation.
After her mother's death in May, Thidarattha discovered that the administrator had made contributions under her mother's name and attempted to claim funds from the funeral assistance pool. The administrator then claimed entitlement to part of the funds because he had made those contributions himself.
When Thidarattha appealed to the fund committee, they recommended a 60-40 split in her favor, but she offered 50-50 instead. The administrator rejected this and insisted on giving her only 20,000 baht for funeral expenses. Thidarattha then contacted Tam Baa Phlang for assistance.
Tam Baa Phlang visited the subdistrict office with Thidarattha and media representatives, requesting a meeting with the administrator, the subdistrict chief, the fund chairman, and relevant parties. During the discussion, the administrator maintained his original position, but Tam Baa Phlang argued that his actions were unjust to the deceased's family.
After more than an hour of negotiation, both parties reached an agreement to split the 100,000 baht equally at 50,000 baht each and resolve all disputes. The fund committee scheduled Thidarattha to bring documentation of her mother's death and collect her share the following Monday.
Thidarattha thanked Tam Baa Phlang for his intervention and the restoration of justice for her family. Tam Baa Phlang encouraged others experiencing injustice to contact him for assistance.
