Woman With Alzheimer’s Allegedly Walked Over 600km From Thailand To China Over A Period Of 8 Months

I‘ve always thought that the mandatory 24km route march back in Army was the worst shit ever.

And really, can you blame me for that? With only dog biscuits and 100-plus drinks to fuel our arduous journey, it’s, for lack of a better phrase, downright damning. Like, I just want my comfy ol’ bed!

Yet, even as I’m complaining right now, I can’t even begin to imagine the pain this woman with Alzheimer’s must have gone through, having cleared not 24km…

But over 600km from Thailand to China in the span of eight months.

Traversed over 600km into China

According to Bangkok Post (BP), a 59-year-old Thai woman with Alzheimer’s traversed over 600km into China, after leaving home to see her son in June 2018.

“I went to see my son… I met him, then I kept walking,” Arjor reportedly said. “There were no cars around.”

Identified as Kaewmanee Arjor of the ethnic Akha hill tribe from Chiang Rai province, she was reportedly found in Kunming, China, in late January, by Chinese officials.

Having found a Thai identity card in her possession, the officials then recognised symptoms of Alzheimer’s before confirming her status. They subsequently contacted the local Thai consulate and took Arjor to a mental hospital.

“She(Arjor) told officials she went there by foot, she kept walking, asking for food from stalls along the way,” said Colonel Ekkorn Butsababodin of the Chiang Rai immigration police.

By the end of her 8-month journey, she had lost up to 20kg. Now I would ask you to head on one long, long trek yourself if you wanted to lose weight, but this might be a lil’ too hardcore.

Financial difficulties

Apparently, Arjor’s daughter had filed a missing report with the police on 12 June. She had also requested the Chiang Rai immigration authorities for assistance, notifying them about her mother’s condition with Alzheimer’s.

However, when her mother was found, Arjor found it impossible to bring her mother home. The reason? She only earned a daily wage of 300 baht (about SGD$13) from working on a golf course.

Thankfully, however, the Chiang Rai immigration authorities decided to intervene, and they donated money to cover the travelling expenses of the trip (on humanitarian grounds).

Both women returned to Thailand on 15 Feb.

You can view the touching reunion of the mother-and-daughter pair down below:

Take care

As I’m sure you’re aware, Alzheimer’s is a very dangerous thing. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association defines the condition as follows: “Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 percent to 80 percent of dementia cases.”

“And your point is?” my colleague J asked.

Well, if touch wood you know anyone with the condition, it might not be too far a stretch to lend a helping hand from time to time. Sure it might be problematic, even troublesome for you…

But I’m pretty sure things are even worse for them.