According to Jira, a nanny at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Boys’ Home where Nong Tan lives, in February 2012 in Phuket Province, Nong Tan’s mother brought Nong Tan to be looked after by a kind person and did not leave any evidence. Nong Tan was about 3 months old at the time. After that, Nong Tan’s mother did not contact him again. The caretaker tried to find a way to contact him but could not. It was found out that Nong Tan had a heart defect. He had been examined by a doctor at Vachira Phuket Hospital and should receive continuous care. He could hardly take care of Nong Tan himself, so he brought Nong Tan to ask for help at the Phuket Children’s and Family Home. The children’s home made an announcement to contact Nong Tan’s parents and relatives, but no one came forward to accept the child. The Phuket Children’s and Family Home therefore sent Nong Tan to receive care and protection at the Sri Thammarat Children’s Home in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. After that, the staff took Nong Tan to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital for further treatment. The doctor examined him and determined that Nong Tan needed surgery, so they sent him to Songkhlanagarind Hospital for a more detailed examination. The doctor found that Tan had a congenital heart disease with multiple defects, the cyanotic type, which included a hole in the septum between the lower chambers of the heart and a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the lungs. Surgery was required, but the shelter did not have any expenses for the surgery. So the doctor contacted the foundation to support the children’s heart surgery.

Normally, Tan would get tired easily, his mouth would turn blue, he wanted to play with his friends but could not because he could not play. He could not play like other normal children. He could only sit and watch his friends when they played. The caregiver said that Tan was not a very cheerful child and liked to play alone. But what we saw in the eyes of this little boy with a strong heart was his strength, hope, and readiness to fight even though his body was weak.

The doctor at Songkhlanagarind Hospital made an appointment for about 3 check-ups. Tan was then sent to undergo surgery at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on Thursday, August 21st, with the help of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Foundation. After the surgery, Tan’s condition improved and he thought that he would have the chance to run and play with his friends as he had hoped. Before, he could only watch him all the time and was able to grow and live like other children.