An eight-year-old boy has been rescued by Thai authorities after being found living in squalid conditions with a pack of dogs in a remote hut in Uttaradit province, northern Thailand. The child, who had been abandoned by his drug-addicted family, was unable to speak and could only communicate by barking.
Police discovered the boy during a joint raid on June 30, following a tip-off from the principal of a local school who contacted children’s rights activist Paveena Hongsakul. Upon arrival, officers found the child living in a dilapidated stilt house with his 46-year-old mother and 23-year-old brother. Both adults tested positive for drug use and were later charged with drug consumption.
According to Paveena, the boy had been deprived of formal education and meaningful human interaction. “He didn’t speak, he just barked. It was pitiful to see,” she said. It was revealed that although the boy had been briefly taken to school once, only for the mother to collect government subsidy funds meant for his education, he was then kept at home indefinitely.
Neighbours said the mother was often seen begging for food and money at a nearby temple. Her erratic behaviour prompted families in the area to keep their children away from the boy, leaving him isolated with only the family’s six dogs for companionship. Over time, he began mimicking their behaviour and used barking to communicate.
Officials from the Education Ministry and local police described the home as being in a known drug zone. A teacher familiar with the family said the child had “no one, just the dogs to play with.”
The boy has since been removed from the home and placed in protective custody at Uttaradit’s Children’s Home. Paveena, who is overseeing his welfare, assured the public that he will be given a chance to rebuild his life. “We’ll follow up with him to make sure he gets everything he needs,” she said.
