In the tranquil town of Ban Makkhaeng, an unexpected family drama has unfolded that could rival even the most engaging soap operas. The serene morning of June 11 was interrupted for an 80-year-old woman named Chalo and her 35-year-old son, Cha, when they found themselves at the Mueang Udon Thani Police Station. They were there to report a most unsettling theft, one that cast a shadow over their family ties.
The stolen goods were no less than 9 baht of gold jewelry and 30,000 baht in cash—collectively valued at around 453,798 baht, or about US$13,990. These weren’t merely material possessions but represented decades of hard work and prudence, wrapped up in memories. The valuables had been cleverly stashed in a tin, housed inside a plastic container, cloaked with a green necktie, and then discreetly placed on Chalo’s bed, a place they thought was safe, beneath their old family home.
The prime suspect? Chalo’s 16-year-old grandson, Beer. A teen who, up until recently, was the very definition of a dutiful grandson. Having lived in Non Tum village, following the untimely death of his father a few years ago, Beer was staying with Chalo since May 18. Presumably, his visit was to assist his ailing grandmother, who has been battling heart disease. However, by June 8, both Beer and the hidden treasures vanished without a trace.
Post-surgery at Udon Thani Central Hospital, the family, determined to recover their valuables and seek justice, resorted to legal recourse. Police Lieutenant Theeraphan Kaewphornyo was all ears as Chalo and Cha reiterated their suspicions, pinning hopes on the police’s expertise. An investigation was promptly launched, scrutinizing their quaint homestead, a trio of elevated wooden houses nestled on a lush one-rai plot.
The plot thickens with a glance at their main dwelling. Guarded by two tricycles—once instruments in an ice cream venture—they now serve as silent reminders of their thrift-centric lifestyle. Chalo, a woman of narratives and nuance, has spent years on this land, acquired alongside her late husband nearly 40 years ago for 80,000 baht—a princely sum in those times.
The family’s roots run deep, having migrated from Ayutthaya, only to find themselves entangled in debt, pushing them into the humble business of selling coconut ice cream. Through grit and determination, they secured not just their current residence but also a plot in Non Sung subdistrict. Despite these achievements, the betrayal by Beer, turning kin into suspects, hangs heavy on their hearts.
Soon after the alleged theft, a community health volunteer, 74-year-old Sawai from Ban Non Yang, stood in Chalo’s corner, painting her as a hardworking matriarch who tackled life’s challenges quietly. It’s poignant to learn Chalo eschewed adorning herself with the gold jewelry post illness, possibly unaware that its absence would be noticed by eyes familiar—her grandson’s.
Conjecture suggests Beer might have stumbled upon the concealed treasure when Chalo made a bank withdrawal on June 7. The opportunity, they suspect, was too tempting, likely seizing a fleeting moment of negligence to slip away with both the cash and gold.
The local authorities remain poised, intent on uncovering Beer’s whereabouts and restoring the family’s peace. The legal avenues are clear, though nuanced by Beer’s minor status and the family’s bond. It’s both a tale of familial fracture and a legal tightrope, underscoring the complex dance between justice and reconciliation.
As the police forge ahead, the hope remains that this ordeal will find resolution not just in a court of law, but within the hearts of those affected—uniting in the embrace of forgiveness and familial solidarity.
It’s so sad when family members betray each other like this. Growing up, my grandma always taught us the importance of honesty. This boy Beer is just throwing away his future over some quick cash.
I agree, but sometimes teenagers don’t think things through. Maybe he was desperate or influenced by someone else. Hope they find him and get things resolved.
Desperation is no excuse to betray your family. He should face the consequences of his actions and hope he learns a valuable lesson.
I feel like Chalo’s hiding something. Why would a grandma not notice her valuable possessions getting stolen?
This story should be a reminder to safeguard your possessions or trust someone trustworthy with them. Family isn’t always who you can count on.
Give the kid a break! When you have nothing, even a small amount of money can look like a fortune. Maybe his family wasn’t giving him the support he needed.
That’s no reason to steal from your own grandma! Family should be off-limits no matter how tempting it is.
In an ideal world, yes, but sometimes people act out of desperation without considering future consequences.
Isn’t it ironic that the family’s livelihood was based on selling ice cream, which is supposed to bring happiness, yet they are embroiled in such sadness and conflict now?
Life tends to be full of such contradictions. But they need to reestablish trust first before any of that happiness can return.
This is what happens when your whole world view revolves around material wealth.
Before passing judgment, consider what drove Beer to such desperate actions. Was it greed, or perhaps he found himself in a situation he couldn’t control?
Fair point, but you’ll feel differently if it’s your hard-earned money that’s missing. It’s everyone’s personal responsibility to live honestly.
This article illustrates perfectly how tight-knit communities can fall apart when trust is broken. It’s a lesson for us all.
Family drama is universal, isn’t it? It crosses cultural and geographic boundaries. We all have that one relative, right?
True, family isn’t always easy. But blaming entire generations when someone goes astray isn’t fair.
I hope that Beer comes back home and finds a way to make amends. The family’s missing their treasure, but Beer’s lost more than that right now.
Poor Beer! I can’t imagine the pressure he’s under, especially now that his grandmother’s situation is public. I seriously hope he finds support.
It’s easy to cast the first stone at Beer, but he’s just a teen. How did the family not notice his descent into this path?
The family’s got history and roots, yet this could fracture them beyond repair. Such a shame!
Family bonds can be incredibly resilient. Tough times can also bring people together if they choose to focus on what truly matters.
I can relate somewhat because who hasn’t had money disagreements with family? Though not on this scale!
Chalo sounds like an incredible woman. I hope she finds peace through this ordeal. It’s never easy to see family crisis unfold like this.
Can’t just assume Beer ran away! What if something more sinister is in play?
Regardless of why it happened, now it’s important for the family to heal. Material wealth can always be regained, but trust once lost is hard to get back.