Ministry of Social Development Visits Elderly Lotus Seller in Ayutthaya

On September 3, 2026, Ms. Chanok Chantathong, Assistant to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, led a delegation to Chao Phrom Market in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The visit was prompted by online reports regarding a 79-year-old woman who sells folded lotus flowers to earn a living.

Accompanied by representatives from the Department of Older Persons and local social development offices from Ayutthaya and Ang Thong, the team met with the elderly woman to assess her living conditions and discuss her access to state welfare and rights. During the visit, the officials provided essential supplies and consulted with relevant departments to determine how to best support her specific needs through appropriate social services.

For residents and visitors, this event highlights the government's ongoing efforts to monitor social media reports regarding vulnerable populations and provide direct outreach. While the immediate needs of the individual were addressed with supplies, the long-term plan for her welfare and the specific nature of the support services to be provided remain under review by the provincial social development teams. Further updates on the implementation of these welfare measures have not yet been announced.