Northern Thailand

Elderly Somtam Vendor Struggles to Survive in Chiang Mai

The story of an elderly somtam (Papaya Salad) vendor in Chiang Mai who is struggling to stay alive has started trending on Social Media. The 59 year old vendor lives in a tiny rental room on Chang Klan.

She has been pushing her trolley out to ply her tasty goods in Chiang Mai for years. However, Covid-19 has just about destroyed her little business. The elderly woman is no longer able to pay for her much needed medication, her room and now even her food.

A regular client came visit her at her room and saw her living conditions and shared it on social media.

CityNews went to visit Ms. Surangkana Janyiam, aka Aunti Su, 59, at her little room in Chang Klan, Chiang Rai. Her room was barely big enough to sleep in let alone live in. The reporters found the elderly woman to be living in terrible conditions.

Also having lost her leg in an accident eight years ago. Auntie Su struggles to walk the two to three kilometres a day to sell her somtam. She has been living of rice mixed with fish sauce.

Auntie Su said that since her accident when she first moved to Chiang Mai from Pitsanulok she has been wearing a prosthetic leg and has been selling somtam ever since.

The elderly vendor used to be able to sell between Bt200-300 worth of Somtum a day which was just about enough to sustain her. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, she is lucky to sell dishes of somtam a day. Most days selling nothing at all.

Auntie Su says that in spite of her bad sales, she still goes out to Chiang Mai Gate every day. She told CityNews she considers it good exercise.

When asked what people can do to help, she said anyone who fancies some somtam or anyone in the vicinity of Chiang Mai Gate to please stop by to support her. She promises to use all hygienic safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

She is at her sales location daily from early morning to noon or early afternoon, depending on sales.

Her current problem has her rent in arias and she owes 6,000 baht to the landlord. While her landlord has been very understanding, her meager earnings aren’t nearly enough to cover rent.

Auntie Su says that she hates begging for money. She has always been independent and believes in fighting to survive. She would appreciate some support in people buying her somtam so that she can take care of herself in life.

If you wish to visit Auntie Su, support her by ordering her somtam if your in Chiang Mai. You can visit her at Rakaeng Road, Chang Klan Road (opposite Cosmo Computer Shop).

CityNews in Chiang Mai also reports you can donate to the account listed in the image below:

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.