Mother Neglects Child Despite Government Aid... 8-Year-Old Thai Boy Who Could Not Speak Rescued

Reportedly Received No Proper Education
"Grew Up Spending Time with Dogs, Unable to Interact with People"

An 8-year-old boy who had been living for an extended period in Thailand, neglected and residing with six dogs, has been rescued.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Thai media outlet Khaosod on July 2 (local time), the boy, referred to as A, was found on June 30 in a remote village in Uttaradit Province, northern Thailand, after being left unattended for a long time.

An 8-year-old boy rescued by Thai authorities. The far right in the mosaic. Khaosod homepage.

A child protection organization responded to a report from the local school principal and, together with police and Ministry of Education officials, raided the house where A was living and rescued him.

A was living with his mother (46) and older brother (23), but was effectively neglected and reportedly communicated mainly with the six dogs. Local media reported that the wooden house was so dilapidated it was on the verge of collapsing.

Pawina Hongsakul, the head of the local child protection organization, said, "When we arrived at the scene, A did not speak and only barked like a dog. It was a heartbreaking sight." It was reported that A had never attended kindergarten and had only gone to elementary school once, so he had essentially received no proper education.

Hongsakul explained, "A's mother received a 400 baht (about 16,000 won) subsidy for free education, but kept him at home instead of sending him to school."

According to neighbors, A's mother made a living by begging for money and food at temples and around the village, and was often away from home for long periods. SCMP reported that A grew up without interacting with people, spending all his time with the dogs, and eventually began to imitate their behavior, communicating by barking.

A Thai government official stated that after rescuing A, both his mother and brother tested positive for drugs. One teacher said, "That house is in a high-risk area for drugs. For A, who had no friends to play with, the dogs were his only companions."

A's mother and brother have been charged with drug use and are currently undergoing treatment. A has been placed in a local child protection facility, and the child protection organization plans to cooperate with authorities to provide him with formal education and help him adapt to society.