Sattahip-area dog lovers have come to the aid of an elderly man who quit his full-time job to care for 32 dogs, one of whom “drives” with him on a route to collect food.
Sawang Poltamai, 59, gained notoriety when he was spotted riding a bicycle on Sukhumvit Road towing a five-meter-long wooden trailer on which sits Nasan, a 5-month-old poodle wearing a hat, behind a fake steering wheel.
Sawang pedals around local markets, asking for leftover food to take to his dogs. The food isn’t clean and some nearly spoiled, but the hungry canines devour it.
Sawang Poltamai peddles a bicycle along Sukhumvit Road towing a wooden trailer on which sits Nasan, a 5-month-old poodle wearing a hat, behind a fake steering wheel.
Sawang said he used to drive a trailer, but his work hours were uncertain, which resulted in his dogs going hungry from time to time as he came home late. He finally quit to become a freelance gardener so he has more time to tend to his 32 dogs.
The cost, however, is prohibitive, forcing him to beg for dog food.
On Feb. 7, Soraya Collins, 30, who collected donations from friends to buy dog food, medicine, rice, water, and other necessities, gave some money to Sawang to take care of himself and his dogs.
The next day, Sompop Primphol, head of a local “anti-drugs motorcycle club” and 10 members arrived at Sawang’s Sukhumvit Soi 109 home in Plutaluang to build the dogs a shelter and dig a new ground well.
Sompop said he was impressed by the care Sawang gave the dogs and the sacrifice he made. The dogs, however, didn’t have shelter from the weather and the property didn’t have enough clean water. So members wanted to contribute what they could.
The club also donated rice to help feed the animals.
Sawang thanked both his benefactors. He said it was fortunate the dogs could have clean and better-quality food. He said if more people donate, he can continue to care for the dogs.
He told Sompop he plans to start growing mushrooms and other vegetables to help get by.
Sawang is taking donations through is Government Savings Bank account 020129430508 or by contacting him at 087-535-0317.
