The guy wearing a bachelor’s uniform in the photo is Phisut Khiritharakul, also known as Min, graduated from Chiang Rai Royal University, Thailand. The emaciated man standing next to him is his elderly father.

In fact, this photo has been around since 2013 on Thai social networking sites, but it started to become famous on April 2, 2014, after it was posted by China’s CRI Online site with title “Thai University student and his poor old father” . This photo was later reposted on various media and Weibo, including People’s Daily’s official Weibo and CCTV News’ official Weibo. Within a few hours, the number of reposts, likes and comments on Weibo increased unexpectedly. Some netizens commented that this group of photos reminded me of my parents and touched my filial piety. I was very touched.

Some netizens commented: “This photo is very warm and gives people hope and faith . ” Some other netizens said: “The photos remind me of my parents, who worked hard to provide for my education . “

The main characters in this photo are Phisut Khiritharakul, also known as Min, a Hmong boy in Thailand and his father. Currently, he has graduated and opened a small computer repair shop in Qinggan district, Nan province, Thailand.

He has five siblings, he himself is the youngest child. His family is very poor, living on a hill far from the city. Min’s family originally had 7 people, but now there are only 3 members left: his father, eldest brother and Min himself. “My father is now over 50 years old and is mute. I remember the day my mother passed away. I was sad and missed her very much. Later, I lost my brothers one after another. This sadness made my father became a closed person and had mental problems.”

Phisut Khiritharakul is a Hmong person, living in Tuncang district, Nan province, a mountainous region in northern Thailand. There are 5 brothers in the family, all of them work as farmers to make a living. Phisut became a monk from grade 1 to grade 6 at Prang temple, Pua district, Nan province. 

After graduating, he went to Phayao College of Agriculture and Technology to study high school. After completing the course and obtaining a certificate, he took the entrance exam to study at the Faculty of Business Administration of Chiang Rai Royal University (undergraduate level) in Thailand to continue his studies. IT. Phisut Khiritharakul once said that although he wanted to give up studying many times, the teachers at the school often helped him, including allowing him to temporarily owe tuition when he was unable to pay. When he received his diploma, the first thing he did was wear his bachelor’s gown and go back to his hometown to take commemorative photos with his father.

Phisut Khiritharakul is the youngest child in the family, his mother passed away when he was young and his brothers also passed away from illness, leaving only his father, eldest brother and Phisut in the family. The 50-year-old father was unable to speak due to disability. Combined with the consecutive deaths of relatives, the father became increasingly withdrawn and silent, and mental problems also appeared. He doesn’t remember anyone, and can’t even recognize his own son.

Min shared: “When I was in high school, it was the most difficult time in my life. The hometown where I lived did not have a university. To study, I had to be away from my father. I admit that I cried. . I often blame myself: Why do I need to go to school? People with good parents and money can freely go to school wherever they like, and many people don’t need to go to school. So why do I go to school? I was discouraged many times because I was not a good student. I used to get the highest score of only 2.9, but I was happy to study, I wanted to study, and because of me If I want to learn, I have to try.”

The day I received my diploma was the happiest day I had. It’s like a gift to the poor. At that time, I wanted my dad and my brother to come see me at the graduation ceremony. But my father lives far away, in Nan province. After graduating, I returned to my father’s house. I wanted to bring home a diploma shirt to take pictures with my dad. But my father couldn’t remember anything. Since his mother passed away, his psychology has become unstable and he always withdraws from people. I returned to my father, went to the house and said in his ear:  “I am your son. I have finished school, dad ,” Phisut Khiritharakul shared. “I want to tell children and even poor people who intend to study, no matter how tired or discouraged they are, don’t be discouraged, it will pass on its own. For children who are lucky to have parents Paying for school doesn’t have to be difficult, be willing to study. Don’t let yourself be disappointed or sad. I wish for nothing but for my children to be as happy as everyone else on graduation day If you’re discouraged, keep fighting and rising.”