TikTok video gets sick grandfather medical help at last

A Thai-British man named Tar and his 85-year-old grandfather, Watcharapong Thongtaem, received much-needed medical assistance after a video showcasing their substandard living conditions went viral on TikTok. The video, posted by user @top1968 on August 22, revealed that Tar and his grandfather lived in a rundown house in Nakhon Ratchasima with inadequate facilities. Watcharapong, who suffered from high blood pressure and gout, had not received medical attention for about a year due to his limited mobility.

Upon learning about the family's plight, Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality officials, including Mayor Wannarat Chankunakul and representatives from the Public Health and Environment Office and Social Welfare Division, visited their home. They provided 80,000 baht to renovate the house, making it safer and more accommodating for Watcharapong.

The officials also reviewed Watcharapong's medical history and arranged for further treatment at Public Health Centre 3, where his records were retrieved from Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

Tar expressed his gratitude to both the TikToker who shared the video and the authorities for their help. He emphasized that his priority was to ensure his grandfather's comfort, as Watcharapong had raised him since childhood and acted as a father figure. Despite occasional feelings of disappointment, Tar remained determined not to give up, urging others to see that one cannot control their circumstances but can choose to improve their lives.

The story garnered widespread support online, with netizens praising Tar's devotion to his grandfather and wishing the family well. Some suggested that Thai social media influencers and celebrities could help Tar by offering him opportunities in livestreaming sales, while others encouraged local businesses to provide employment, helping to support his grandfather as well. It remains unclear whether Tar is currently employed or studying to support his grandfather.