Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - October 4, 2002
Onnucha Hutasing
Her son's illness had cost him his job and their income. It also threatened to force them out of their home.
Neighbours told Mrs Siemngek and her only son Somsak to get out, but she had no money. She told a friendly neighbour of her plan to take her life. Her neighbour phoned a radio programme, which led to offers of help.
After losing her husband several years ago, Siemngek fell back on Somsak, an electrician making only 5,000 baht a month. They lived a simple life in a small rented house in Soi Charoen Nakhon 78 until her son fell ill. He lost 10 kilogrammes in a month and was diagnosed with Aids two months ago.
"I cried non-stop. My son is more courageous. He still has hopes to recover from this disease," Mrs Siemngek said.
Her son was not surprised to find he had Aids since he liked having sex with prostitutes, but his mother's tears made him deeply sorry.
"I just told my Mum that I was sorry, I was sorry," Mr Somsak said.
He was kicked out of his job and paid only 3,000 baht compensation when his employer learned of his sickness. He and his mother sold their television and radio, a stove and refrigerator and finally had to move to a small and poorly-ventilated room to save money.
Confined to a small and dark room with only one window made Mr Somsak's symptoms worse.
Mrs Siemngek found a friend in neighbour Sunantha sae Ung, who gave them food. However, other neighbours said they hated having an Aids patient nearby.
Mrs Siemngek took her son to hospitals and clinics, but they refused to admit him as he was not yet in a coma.
One day, tiring of neighbours' complaints, their landlady told them to move out. "We understand that HIV is not a communicable disease. But we are afraid that he has tuberculosis. We have sympathy for him, but we have to protect ourselves," one neighbour said.
The landlady's order was the last straw. Holding a packet of arsenic, Mrs Siemngek went to Mrs Sunantha's room to say good-bye.
"She said she wanted to die. Though I tried to tell her to think of her ill son, she said: 'Let things go according to Karma'.
Mrs Sunantha contacted Ruam Duay Chuay Kan, a radio show. Phra Athikarn Sommai Anantho's Wat Ram Rai Foundation in Pathum Thani heard the message and offered to take in both mother and son.
Mr Somsak was taken to a care centre for Aids patients, Baan Bang Boon. His mother opted to stay behind.
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