Taking to Facebook, Ekawit Suratwadi posted a 1 minute 14 second video clip explaining that his friend, 57-year-old Oleg Magdeev, is desperately looking for work to pay his rent and send his son to school after his Thai wife recently broke up with him.
Mr Ekawit explained that Mr Magdeev had been living in Phuket for several years and had been employed driving a 60-foot boat for four years before the COVID pandemic hit, work dried up and he was forced to sell his house and move to Chainat Province with his wife.
There they built a house on land his wife owned, while also purchasing a car that was registered in his wife’s name. The car was on a finance agreement, however his wife had not been making the regular payments and the vehicle was consequently confiscated.
After separating from his wife, Mr Magdeev moved back to Phuket with his 5-year-old son although money is a major concern as Mr Magdeev currently has no employment.
He is renting a house in Thalang but has not paid rent since June. Pitying Mr Magdeev’s situation, his landlord Khun Kanda had originally reduced the B7,000 per month rent to B4,000 per month but now funds have completely run out. The kind-hearted landlord has been allowing Mr Magdeev and his son to remain in the property free of charge although Mr Magdeev acknowledges that the situation cannot continue indefinitely.
“I explained to my landlord that I had to rent a motorbike so as to take my son to school which has made paying rent very difficult,” Mr Magdeev explained in the video.
“My landlord has been very understanding and kind but the situation is not good and I need work to make money to pay rent and care for my son.”
Mr Ekawit stated in the same video that Mr Magdeev has multiple skills that could be put to effective use for anyone is need. His skillset includes being able to operate and repair boats no greater than 60 feet, although it was disclosed that his license has currently expired.
Additionally, Mr Magdeev is able to repair electrical appliances such as rice cookers, fans, refrigerators, water pumps and electrical systems.
Mr Magdeev also needs to undertake a visa run via Ranong shortly which will also cost money and just wants to ensure everything is done correctly and is in place so he can take proper care of his young son.
Mr Ekawit explained he just felt very sorry for the Russian man and his predicament, which is why he wanted to help by making the request for help via the published video.
Initial feedback on Facebook has been positive, with netizens blasting the behaviour and conduct of the child’s mother in abandoning her son, while praising Mr Magdeev’s attempts to get himself on track so as to take care of the boy.
Mr Ekawit ended the video saying that anyone who wishes to lend assistance to help Mr Magdeev’s plight can contact him on 090-485-8422 or Khun Kanda, the landlord of the rented house Mr Magdeev is staying, on 086-478-0898.