CHACHOENSAO — A 13-year-old boy, missing his grandparents in Ubon Ratchathani province, attempted to cycle over 100 kilometers to see them. Fortunately, good Samaritans found him at a gas station in Chachoengsao province.
Three citizens discovered the schoolboy in his uniform, looking disheveled, alone at the PTT Hua Samrong Gateway gas station on Road 331 in Plaeng Yao district, Chachoengsao province, during a Thai religious holiday, February 12. A local reporter who happened to be at the station also joined in questioning the boy.
The boy, who identified himself as Pond, revealed he had run away from his home in Laem Chabang, Chonburi province, without telling his mother. His destination was his grandparents’ house in Ban Phon Sawan, Na Chaluai district, Ubon Ratchathani. He had been cycling since 5:00 a.m., covering over 100 kilometers from Laem Chabang to the gas station. The total distance to his intended destination would have been at least 620 kilometers.
Pond emphasized that he wasn’t running from abuse or pressure from his guardians or schoolmates. Rather, he missed his grandparents who had raised him since he was very young. Having only moved to live with his mother in Laem Chabang five months ago, his longing for his grandparents led him to make this decision without telling anyone.
During his journey, a motorcyclist accidentally hit his bicycle. Though uninjured, his uniform was soiled. The motorcyclist gave him 100 baht, of which he spent 40 on food, leaving him with 60 baht. His black school backpack contained a hammock, school supplies, a ping-pong paddle, and a flute.
Mr. Somkiat Tanwutto, one of the good Samaritans, contacted Plaeng Yao police to help reach the boy’s guardians. While waiting, kind citizens donated money to Pond, amounts ranging from 300 to 500 baht, totaling over 2,000 baht. The police then took him to the station to wait for his guardians.
Since Pond didn’t have contact numbers for his mother or grandparents, Police Colonel Preecha Nisaisom, the superintendent of Plaeng Yao station, contacted his father, Mr. Kat , age 45. His father rushed to embrace his son before discussing the situation.
Pond insisted on returning to live with his grandparents in Ubon Ratchathani. His father agreed, acknowledging the good teachers at the Ubon school and understanding his son’s attachment to his grandparents, but asked him to complete the current term first, as exams were approaching.
After police helped mediate, Pond promised not to run away again and to focus on his studies for the remaining month before the term ends. He would then move to live with his grandparents in Ubon Ratchathani to continue his education. When asked about his future career aspirations, Pond expressed his desire to become a social justice lawyer.
Following the resolution, his father took him back to Laem Chabang, Chonburi.
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