A bedridden elderly woman was carried on a makeshift stretcher by neighbours to go to a bank branch in Sangkhla Buri district, Kanchanaburi, Thailand on Monday (14 Sept).
90-year-old Seapuey Thongphachangon had to appear at the bank to rectify an issue with her ATM card.
Source: ใกล้ตา แต่ ไกลตีน on Facebook
Despite relentless rain, the team made the 9km journey to help the woman.
According to a Facebook user who shared the story, the group who helped the woman consisted of village defence and health volunteers, forest fire officers, and residents.
Source: ใกล้ตา แต่ ไกลตีน on Facebook
They carried her for 9km from her remote village, Ko Sadeung, to Kong Mong Tha village amid a downpour.
From there, they drove her to Sangkhlaburi town, where the bank branch was located.
Source: ใกล้ตา แต่ ไกลตีน on Facebook
The user said Mrs Seapuey’s ATM card couldn’t be used at the ATM, so they had to take her to the bank branch to fix the problem.
An official familiar with the case said her family typically uses the card to withdraw funds monthly to cover her care.
The post gained attention and earned the community praise for helping the bedridden woman.
However, it also prompted calls for banks and authorities to make financial services more accessible for residents living in remote areas.
Source: ใกล้ตา แต่ ไกลตีน on Facebook
According to Bangkok Post, travelling to and from Ko Sadeung becomes increasingly difficult during the rainy season as roads often become impassable.
The remoteness of the area, combined with wet, dangerous roads, also hinders residents from getting urgent medical attention.
Also read: S’porean woman injured after fall at waterfall in M’sia, carried 8km down by rescue team
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from ใกล้ตา แต่ ไกลตีน on Facebook.