A Chonburi man hopelessly in debt to loan sharks offered to illegally sell his kidney to pay off his debts.
Fully aware selling human organs is illegal in Thailand, Thanakrit Pansingsorn, 36, stood on a street corner in Chachoengsao over the weekend with a sign, saying he’d sell his kidney for the right price.
The incident went viral on social media, as motorists stopped, inquired about Thanakrit’s situation and even gave him money. But he didn’t find a buyer.
Thanakrit is the owner of Thanakrit Jik Supply Co. in Ban Bueng District. His mother-in-law, Papada Kaewpancha, 51, met with the media Oct. 18, accompanied by her 6-year-old granddaughter and 4-year-old grandson. Thanakrit wasn’t present.
Papada said Thanakrit’s business crashed during the coronavirus pandemic and, early on, he continued to support his 20 employees, but borrowed money from a loan shark to pay their salaries.
But the pandemic lasted longer than he expected and the exorbitant, illegal interest piled up. He was broke and didn’t have money to pay for his children’s schooling.
Sunday, unbeknownst to anyone, he went out with his sign to try and sell his kidney in exchange for the millions of baht he needs to get even. Papada said she was relieved there were no takers, but she fears what he might do next.