A Thai woman battling stage three breast cancer has come under intense public scrutiny after her online donation campaign raised 1.6 million baht, only for discrepancies in her financial statements to spark widespread outrage.
The patient, identified as Bew, shared her story on Facebook through the account CarBew Donlaya, revealing that she faced overwhelming treatment costs beyond what Thailand’s social security fund could cover. Bew explained that she needed 540,000 baht for 18 injections of targeted therapy, in addition to transport and daily living expenses. Claiming she had to delay treatment due to lack of funds, she sought donations online, quickly raising a significant sum.
However, suspicion grew when Bew shared screenshots of her mobile banking account. One showed a balance of 1.6 million baht, while another revealed only around 587,000 baht remaining. Netizens demanded transparency regarding how the donations had been used. Bew later clarified that she had transferred 1.1 million baht to her mother’s account to facilitate payments to hospitals, but this explanation failed to quell the controversy.
Criticism deepened when it emerged that Bew had sought care not only at Naresuan University Hospital, a state facility, but also at private Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS). Detractors argued that state hospitals could provide adequate treatment at lower costs. Bew countered that her treatment was primarily through Naresuan University Hospital, while visits to BDMS were for additional examinations. Both hospitals later confirmed that most treatment procedures were covered under the social security system, raising further questions about her fundraising appeal.
Facing mounting pressure, Bew deleted earlier posts and issued a new statement on August 17, noting that she had begun chemotherapy and was losing her hair. She promised to provide a clearer breakdown of her treatment costs in the future, citing misunderstandings about her medical situation.
The controversy escalated on August 18, when a donor, a male photographer who had contributed 200 baht, filed a complaint at Bang Kluay Police Station. He argued that Bew’s case could undermine public trust in charitable giving, making it harder for genuinely needy patients to receive support.
Police confirmed they had accepted the complaint and would investigate Bew’s financial records to determine whether fraud had occurred.
As the case unfolds, it has sparked a wider debate in Thailand about transparency in online fundraising, the responsibilities of those soliciting donations, and the risks of public generosity being abused. For many, the incident highlights the fine balance between compassion for patients in need and the necessity of financial accountability.
