New Home for Family Burnt-Out by Drug Addicted Grandson

In Thailand’s Chaiyaphum province, officials will build a new home for an 86-year-old woman, her daughter, and three of her grandchildren, who were left homeless after her drug addict grandson burned down their house.

Kaisorn Kongchalard, governor of Chaiyaphum province, led officials in inspecting a fire-gutted house in Tambon Nong Na Saeng in Muang district on Thursday evening.

On Wednesday, the governor met with “Yai” Luan Choksiri, 86, and her granddaughter, 16.

Officials assured the elderly woman that her crazed grandson was already safely inside prison so that she wouldn’t have to fear being attacked by him.

Last Friday, her grandson set fire to the family home.

Ms Luan and the four other members of her family, including the arsonist’s mother, were left living in makeshift shelters beside the Chaiyaphum-Si Khiu Road in Ban Khok Phaeng Phuai village in Tambon Laharn district in Chatturat province. Their income is derived from selling eggs from ducks they care for, and their water is obtained from a paddy field.

After inspecting their shelter, the governor said it wasn’t safe for them to stay there. He promised to build them a new house.

Meanwhile, they could stay in government-owned rooms. Despite this, the old woman declined the offer, saying she was too worried about her house.

Eventually, Nat Chokesiri, 58, convinced Grandma Luan to accept an offer to stay at a neighbour’s house while her home was being rebuilt by new home builders. It was estimated the new home builders would take about seven days.

On Friday, Ms Luan’s drug-addicted grandson, Prapat Phunthunthod, burned down her house in tambon Nong Na Saeng of Muang district, leaving her family without a place to stay.

The 37-year-old Prapat is being held in Chaiyaphum prison awaiting trial on arson charges.