A 15-year-old girl in Thailand has captured public attention after her story of collecting and selling plastic bottles to support her family and education went viral.
Local broadcaster CH7 reported on April 10, 2026, that the teenager, identified as Benyapha Thanakornmonporn from Nonthaburi, has taken on heavy responsibilities at home while continuing her studies.
Her father has reportedly been bedridden for 16 years following a serious accident, leaving him paralysed and in need of daily care. Her mother works as a daily housekeeper and earns around 380 baht (S$15) per day, making her the family’s sole income provider.
After school, Benyapha returns home to help care for her father, including changing diapers and managing medical needs, before heading out to collect plastic waste from streets and bins to sell for extra income.
Despite the difficult circumstances, she reportedly earns less than 100 baht (S$4) a week from recycling activities, which contributes modestly to household expenses.
When asked about her situation, she said she feels no embarrassment, adding that her priority is supporting her father and helping her family survive.
Remarkably, the teenager continues to perform well in school, achieving a GPA of 3.75 and ranking third in her class.
She is preparing to enter Grade 10, but financial constraints have made it difficult for her family to afford school fees.
Following widespread attention online, a local Facebook community has launched a fundraising effort to assist her, with donations being channelled directly to her and her family.
