Report of visit to Mr. Khut Kong Kea

We have seen many reports of Mr Khut Kong Kea, a member of SRP who fleed to Thailand and now is ill in bed. MP Mu Sochua took a chance to visit him on o3 July 2010 and below is the report of her visit related to Mr. Khut Kong Kea´s conditions.

Dear colleagues and friends,

Kindly find the following report concerning Mr. Kong Kea and his family, I had a chance to pay a visit to on 3July.

Mr. Kong Kea´s physical condition:

The stroke he suffered 5 days ago has affected the functioning of his brain. He is not able to control the movement of his eyes and other parts of his body. He is practically unconscious. His lungs are also affected by infections.

Doctors give little sign of hope but would not say exactly how he would come out of it.

The family can visit him twice a day and they bring flowers and pray together.

The hospital cost has been covered with generous contributions they have received and the TV reporting on Channel 7 generated some support. It was thanks to the coverage on Channel 7 that he was brought up to this ward where he is carefully looked after and is in a private room. Previously he was left to die, for over 20 days because the family could not pay for a drug that costs over 100,000 bahts.

When I was there, an officer from the >Public >Health Ministry came to help settle the hospital cost because the government is concerned about bad publicity now that the public is aware of his case.

I am in contact with higher government officials and contact to him has been made.

UNHCR

We will try our best to request UNHCR to re-open his case on two points: political and humanitarian reasons.

In the meantime, we will look for a third country.

I am meeting with lawyers and other influential officials today to ensure the security of the family and a better living environment.

The family situation

Mr. Kong Kea was the main breadwinner through garbage collection, while his 7 children and wife recycled and sold for 200 or 300 bahts a day.

All for now and with best wishes to all,

Sochua

Besides your generous contributions, please help send letters of support to Boran.