Thanakrit is the eldest son of Wichit, 42, and Soraya, 34. Thanakrit’s parents are merchants and own an office supplies store in Nang Rong District, Buriram.

His mother told us that when he was pregnant, he went to Nang Rong Hospital for prenatal care, and he went to every appointment. After he gave birth at Nang Rong Hospital, he was healthy and strong, with no abnormalities. When he was about 6 months old, his mother noticed that his hands and feet would turn blue when it was cold or when he cried. So, she took him to see a pediatrician at a clinic near their home.

After examining his symptoms and listening to his heartbeat, the pediatrician found that his heartbeat was abnormal. The doctor recommended that he be taken to a hospital in the province for a more detailed examination. So, his mother took him to Buriram Hospital, where the hospital diagnosed him with congenital heart disease. They sent him to the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, or Children’s Hospital, for further treatment. He had continuous checkups and follow-ups until he was sent for surgery at Rajavithi Hospital when he was about 3 years old. He had to stay in the hospital for more than a month because he had lung problems after the surgery. Until he was strong enough to go home and continue his treatment. After the surgery, his symptoms clearly improved. He no longer had cyanosis, he was stronger, and he could go to school and study like a normal child. Thanakrit is currently 14 years old and is in his third year of secondary school at Nang Rong Witthaya School in Buriram Province. He loves computers and is good at English. When he grows up, he wants to be a programmer.