Grandpa Yen, 108, passes away

Written by Writer on Monday, October 13th, 2008

OBITUARY

Grandpa Yen, 108, passes away

CHAIWAT SATYAM

PHETCHABURI : The grand old man of the Phetchaburi river died of heart failure yesterday at the age of 108. Yen Kaewmanee, better known as Grandpa Yen, was rushed to Phra Chomklao hospital after nurses found him unconscious with a weak pulse in his boat, which was anchored at Lamyai bridge pier in Muang district.

Grandpa Yen: Lived alone on a small boat

The nurses suspected something was wrong after he failed to answer their routine call ahead of their daily visit to check his health.

”The doctors did their best trying to resuscitate him for more than an hour. Unfortunately his body never responded,” hospital deputy director Sathit Rattanasrithong said. Grandpa Yen’s heart failure was due to an enlarged heart, Dr Sathit and Phetchaburi governor Sayumporn Limthai told a joint press conference. He will be buried today in a Muslim ceremony.

Grandpa Yen fished for a living alone in a small, old boat since his wife died in 1993. He never asked anyone for help or money.

His austere lifestyle was shown to a fascinated public in the 2005 release of Khon Kon Khon, a documentary on his life.

Her Majesty the Queen gave Grandpa Yen a new boat that year after watching the documentary.

Heavy rain sank his boat on Sept 19. Neighbours rescued him from the river and took him to Phra Chomklao hospital.

After hearing of Grandpa Yen’s plight, the Queen had the Ayutthaya Shipbuilding Industrial and Technology College repair and upgrade his boat. It was equipped with an engine to give him better control of the vessel.

The Phetchaburi Red Cross Society also delivered meals to him every day, as requested by Her Majesty.

He is survived by two adopted daughters, both married and living with their families.

Bangkok Post