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90-Year-Old Vendor Gains Support After Viral TikTok Highlights His Struggle
A 90-year-old man selling Kuay Jab in Songkhla has received an outpouring of support after a TikTok video shared his story of caring for his bedridden wife.
On August 11, 2026, Khaosod Online reported on a 90-year-old man named Somchai, who continues to work as a street food vendor in Songkhla to support his bedridden wife. The story gained widespread attention after a TikTok user, @iiceziii, posted a video highlighting his situation.
Somchai sells Kuay Jab (rolled rice noodle soup) for 40–50 baht per bag. Despite his advanced age and the recent loss of his only son, he remains dedicated to providing for his wife, who is over 70 and suffers from mobility issues and intestinal illness. Somchai had recently taken a month-long break to care for her but returned to his stall three days prior to the video's publication. He expressed a reluctance to raise prices, fearing a decline in customers.
For residents and visitors in the Hat Yai area, the vendor can be found in the mornings in front of Wat Khlong Plae in Kho Hong and in the evenings in front of the 7-Eleven at Big C Khlong Hae. The viral exposure has significantly increased his daily sales, which previously averaged only 2–3 bags. While the community response has been positive, the long-term sustainability of his business and the specific medical needs of his wife remain personal matters that have not been fully detailed.