Mum dies after 30 years of caring for ill son
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Ampai Yodbutr, the mother of actor Anochao - who has been in a coma for nearly 30 years - died on Saturday at the age of 88 from lung cancer, it was reported yesterday.
Ampai had patiently taken care of her son since he was badly hurt in a car accident in 1983. She was honoured as one of the nation’s outstanding mothers in 2002.
The actor’s siblings, notably Euamporn Yodbutr, will continue to take care of 54-year-old Anochao, as per Ampai’s last words: “Don’t leave your brother.”
Famous radio host Saithip “Chod” Montrikul na Ayudhaya tweeted on her personal profile @DjPChod that Anochao’s mum passed away and that a bathing rite would be held for her tomorrow at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat at 4pm.
The Abhidramma recital rite will be held for five days before the cremation ceremony on April 23.
Anochao – the youngest son of Ampai’s eight children – went into a coma following a road accident while filming the Thai movie “Rakkan Wanlanid” (Love A Little Bit Each Day) in Chiang Mai in 1983.
Ampai gave interviews saying she would never forget the night of October 30, 1983 when a film crew told her on the phone that Anochao was in a car accident in Chiang Mai and had to undergo urgent surgery.
When she went to the hospital, the first time she saw his condition she was so shocked that she froze, couldn’t speak, and felt something very heavy inside her chest, while tears continuously streamed down her cheeks.
Anochao was later moved to Bangkok and underwent surgery at various hospitals. Ampai said that at first she and the family hoped her boy would recover because there was so much love at home and they were taking good care of him, according to doctors’ advice.
As time passed, their hope evaporated and Ampai admitted being concerned about who would take care of her son when she was gone, because his siblings had their own responsibilities.
Daughter Euanjit recalled that Ampai, who had heart disease, developed a chronic cough late last year until February, when a doctor found she was suffering the final phase of lung cancer. Since then her mother had received regular treatment before being admitted to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital two weeks ago.
She passed away just before midnight on April 14.
Euanjit and siblings had planned a merit-making event on July 14 to celebrate Ampai’s birthday but it was too late, she said.
“Now, what we can do is to follow her last words, “Don’t leave your brother”, because mum was so worried about Anochao. We will take care of him,” Euanjit said, adding that her sister Euamporn would stay home with Anochao and other siblings would visit regularly.
