A 14-year-old boy died of starvation at his family home in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand on 18 Jun 2025.
Itthikorn Phonpibulsombhop was found lifeless in his living room after his family had reportedly survived on just tap water for nearly a month.
The Por Tek Tung Foundation rescue team received a distress call at 7:00am from the boy’s uncle, Thotsaphon Phonpibulsombhop. The uncle reported that his nephew had died and that his brother’s family had no money and had been living without food for weeks.
Family Found in Critical Condition After Month Without Food
When rescue workers and police arrived at the two-storey concrete house, they discovered Itthikorn’s visibly malnourished body lying motionless on the ground. The property sat on a 400-square-metre plot of land, with walls and fences overgrown with weeds and grass.
The boy’s body showed no signs of struggle or physical injury. Forensic examiners were contacted to examine the remains, though early indications suggested death due to severe malnutrition and dehydration.
Itthikorn’s mother, 45-year-old Ananya Phonpibulsombhop, was found lying beside her son in an extremely weak and frail condition. She was unable to sit or stand up. His father, 44-year-old Yongyosakorn Phonpibulsombhop, appeared equally exhausted and pale, with his voice barely audible.
Both parents were rushed to hospital for immediate medical care. They are no longer in critical condition and are receiving treatment.
Uncle Reveals Family’s Financial Struggles and Isolation
Thotsaphon told media that his younger brother Yongyosakorn had called him that morning to inform him of Itthikorn’s death. The uncle had not seen the family in a long time as they lived far apart.
Yongyosakorn and Ananya had not worked for over ten years. They had previously lived off inheritance money received from selling family land, but the funds had eventually run out.
Thotsaphon revealed that his brother occasionally reached out for financial help, such as paying utility bills, which he provided. However, the brothers rarely saw or spoke to each other, and Thotsaphon had no idea about the severity of the family’s situation.
The uncle only learned on the day of the boy’s death that the family had not eaten for nearly a month due to extreme poverty.
Neighbours Notice Sudden Change But Remain Unaware of Crisis
A neighbour, Mr Yan, told the press that the Phonpibulsombhop family was reclusive and never left their house. The family rarely interacted with others in the community.
Mr Yan had previously observed food delivery riders frequently visiting the home, but noticed deliveries had stopped suddenly about a month ago. He occasionally saw the boy sitting outside alone, but the child never spoke to anyone.
The neighbour said he was unaware of the severity of the situation and would have offered help if he had known about their plight.
Rescue workers expressed concern about why the family did not reach out for help from neighbours or support organisations before the situation became fatal. The case has sparked public outrage in Thailand, with many believing Itthikorn’s death could have been prevented.
Authorities and charity organisations are calling for better community engagement and greater access to social services. Further investigation will be conducted to determine the official cause of death.
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