Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae led a multi-agency team on a visit to the family’s home at Phanthep Condo Town on Mae Luan Rd in Phuket Town on Tuesday (July 14).
The visit followed a complaint submitted through the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office concerning a 61-year-old woman caring for her younger brother, who has multiple disabilities, and her 6-year-old granddaughter, a Year 1 primary school student.
Officials found the family survives on income from small-scale sales, which is insufficient to meet daily living costs. The woman also requires ongoing treatment for a mental health condition while acting as the legal caregiver for her disabled brother.
During the visit, the Phuket Provincial Employment Office and the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office coordinated assistance to address the family’s immediate and longer-term needs.
The Employment Office arranged for outstanding debts owed to the Fund for the Promotion and Development of the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities to be settled, allowing the woman to regain access to vocational funding and government welfare programmes.
Officials also provided funding for new school uniforms for her granddaughter, who previously had only one uniform and lacked financial support for school-related expenses.
The woman was registered as a job seeker so employment officials can match her with suitable work, and was also registered to receive assistance under Section 35 of the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act as the caregiver of a person with disabilities.
The Social Development and Human Security Office said it will continue working with relevant agencies to provide welfare support and help the family achieve stable employment and income.
Mr Romdon said the visit reflected Phuket Province’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable residents have access to government assistance and opportunities to become self-reliant.
The family thanked officials for the support, saying it had eased their financial burden and given them hope of building a more stable future while continuing to care for their disabled family member and young child.