Eighty two year old attacked in street was once successful company owner

Thai Rath uncovered a background story to the street attack on an 82 year old man in Bangkok that read like scenes from a soap opera.

The real life story of refuse collector Jaroon Maneephan was told to the media by his daughter “Jiap” or Wanida Maneephan who said he was once a wealthy owner of a successful business.

But now he lived on the street – outside 7/11. He wanted it that way.

Jaroon was attacked and left for dead earlier in the week after a collision in Soi Chan Meuang in Huay Kwang between his refuse collecting tricycle and a motorcycle ridden by 21 year old Narathorn Sottiyang, son of a family who sell clothes at Pratunam.

Police soon arrested Narathorn who has expressed his regret and said his family will pay for the old man’s care.

Jiap told Thai Rath that in the economic boom times her father was a shareholder with friends of a successful awnings and extensions firm called “Saksit Alloy”. But when the economy crashed he had nothing else to do.

But he still worked hard collecting trash and managed to ensure that she finished school. Her mom went on the streets to sell food like fried potato and eggs to provide extra income.

Her father has been living on the streets for many years, she said.

“He is not abandoned,” she said. “He honestly says he prefers to be outside. He sleeps outside 7/11 and has done that for years. There is no telling him otherwise, he is a stubborn character”.

She added fatalistically that it was all part of life’s ups and downs.

She said she was furious when she saw the CCTV footage of the attack on her dad but after meeting the assailant, hearing his apology and regret and knowing that everything will be taken care of, she has forgiven him.

She also praised the police and said they would carry out their own investigation and procedures.

The story has been shared widely on Thai social media.

Thai Visa / Thai Rath

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