British man comes to aid of trash-picking grandmother

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A British man who read about the plight of an 80-year-old grandmother who collects trash to support her family gave the woman 10,000 baht to help her through tough times.

The expat, who wished to remain anonymous, said he read about Bunlert Nutnom in the June 17 Pattaya Mail and was so moved by her efforts to support her dying daughter, two grandchildren and infirm husband, he wanted to do something to help her.

A kind hearted British man (not shown) and his Thai wife (left), both of whom wish to remain anonymous, donate funds to help the plight of Grandma Bunlert and her family. A kind hearted British man (not shown) and his Thai wife (left), both of whom wish to remain anonymous, donate funds to help the plight of Grandma Bunlert and her family.

She’s been collecting trash for 10 years, scooping up five plastic drink bottles in exchange for a single-baht. She makes only about 10,000 baht a month, which is barely enough to cover her expenses. She’s out on the street at 5 a.m. and not back until afternoon. Three years ago she was hit by a truck. These days she often feels ill. Her feet and stomach hurt and she has to rest every 100 meters.

What income she gets goes to support the two young kids and their mother, who is dying of AIDS. The British man said the story left him feeling badly and his wife encouraged him to reach out to help. They finally met up June 22 at her East Pattaya home.

He presented her 10,000 baht and gave each of the boys 100 baht to buy something fun.