Brave Sergeant Worawit Naratna’s Inspiring Journey: From EOD Officer to Fermented Fish Entrepreneur

Once upon a time, deep in the heart of Narathiwat, there lived a dashing and valiant Sergeant named Worawit Naratna, fondly known as Puen by those who cherished his company. At 36 years of age, Puen had valiantly served as an explosives ordnance disposal officer, a role that most would approach with trepidation. Yet, Puen embraced it as his calling.

However, life took an unexpected turn on that fateful May day, the 20th to be precise, when an explosive incident rocked his world in Narathiwat Province, leaving him without the legs he once stood so proudly upon. Forced into a new way of life and seeking solace in the shadows of uncertainty, Puen’s indomitable spirit remained unabated.

During his recovery, nestled in the comforting embrace of Lam Pam subdistrict, Mueang district, within the serene Phatthalung province, Puen discovered a newfound passion. The crisis had sparked the entrepreneur within, leading him to delve into the sour yet delightful art of crafting and selling fermented fish—an homage to his homeland’s culinary heritage.

What began as a modest venture, garnering between 10 and 20 orders a day, soon morphed into a dazzling display of entrepreneurial success. Puen’s story, infused with elements of bravery and resilience, captivated social media, turning heads and piquing taste buds across the nation. His orders skyrocketed to a whirring 1,000 packets daily!

Yet, beneath this success lay a story of trial and tribulation. Freed from the hospital’s embrace, Puen found himself grappling with the dual adversities of immobility and financial strain. With a meager monthly salary of around 20,000 baht (roughly US$585), of which loan obligations whittled down to a mere 3,000 baht (approximately US$88), the burden was tangible. Yet, in the face of adversity, Puen stood resolute, driven by the love for his family—his supportive wife, Lalita Sunseng, and their spirited young kindergarten scholar of a son.

The fermented fish business became a beacon of hope, an anchor in the sea of life’s uncertainties. As the savory aroma of his offerings wafted across the digital clime, powered by an endless cascade of social media shares, it invited goodwill and gratitude alike.

Jenny to that cataclysm, Puen’s life rewound to the harrowing memory of that blast—his legs sacrificed on the altar of fate, with his family weighing heavily on his heart. Fearful he might be torn away forever, he bravely entrusted his son to a trusted friend.

Miraculously, after seven long months oscillating between hospital beds and home comforts, equipped with prosthetic legs courtesy of a kind-hearted German company, Puen took his first steps towards normalcy. With makeshift walking rails installed by his kin, each stride became testament to his refusal to become a burden, cheered on by thousands of online well-wishers who drew inspiration from his story.

Despite the upheaval in family dynamics that followed his disability, Puen and Lalita forged ahead. While initial hopes for a stable position with the Phatthalung Irrigation Project remained unfulfilled, Lalita painted a poignant picture of their struggle, working tirelessly as a daily wage earner.

Yet, hope wasn’t as distant as it seemed. The National Police Office pledged avenues for Puen’s return to work, potentially reassigning him closer to home. Meanwhile, those captivated by his narrative and wishing to offer their encouragement could order his cherished fermented fish through Lalita’s Facebook page, or via a simple phone ring at 093-739-1355. At 200 baht (US$6) per package brimming with delicacies such as pla duk ra and krachud bags, each purchase offered more than a taste—it offered hope.

As Puen’s tale continues to unfurl, it carries with it a lesson in resilience, a testament to courage, captured beautifully in the art of fermented fish.