Locals come to the aid of ailing ‘hero’
A local hero in Krabi province, who became famous after rescuing an elderly Norwegian couple trapped in muddy slush near a local dam three years ago by allowing them to clamber over him, is getting help to recover from chronic back pain that he reportedly sustained since that day.
Chat Ubonjinda, 47, had to quit his job as a fisherman and could no longer carry heavy loads due to backpain, which restricted him to doing odd jobs that paid Bt200 to Bt300 a day. Following an appeal by his family for help from the public, Chat is being admitted to Krabi Hospital where he will see a doctor this week.
On Sunday, Doctor Neung Intercare Krabi School executive Phitsinee Khaoluan and teachers at the private institute that offers nursing courses, took Chat to get additional diagnosis and treatment at Kritsada Physical Therapy Clinic in Muang Krabi district. Chat is currently unable to get up or turn by himself due to the back pain.
The clinic will offer him free treatment along with that provided by Krabi Hospital to boost the local hero’s recovery, clinic owner Dr Kritsada Narongkit, 33, said via his Facebook page.
After a session of laser and muscle therapy, Chat seemed to respond well and was also able to get up by himself. He said his pain had subsided, Kritsada said, adding that Chat would require 1-2 months of therapy. He was confident that this programme, when combined with treatment from Krabi Hospital’s experts, would speed up Chat’s recovery.