Cover image via Channel 8 (Facebook)
A Burmese woman's four-day journey on foot from Myanmar to Bangkok to claim her husband's body took a heartbreaking turn when she discovered he had been living a double life with a Thai mistress
The woman, identified only as May, arrived in the Thai capital on 8 April to claim the remains of her 46-year-old husband, Ji Tan, and their son Kyaw Tat, believed to be trapped under the rubble of a building that collapsed following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March, according to Thai media.
While her daughter managed to escape, both Ji Tan and Kyaw Tat have yet to be found.
Thai officials required May to undergo DNA testing before releasing any remains, but before the test could be completed, she was informed that another woman had already come forward claiming to be Ji Tan's wife and had brought his daughter for testing, reported Channel 8.
May was left "stunned and speechless" by the revelation.
She said she had no idea her husband had a second wife and had been receiving money from him monthly. She feared losing the right to claim the bodies and any potential compensation.
Image via Channel 8 (Facebook)
The other woman, identified as Whee, confirmed she had been in a relationship with Ji Tan for over a decade and had no knowledge of May
She claimed she helped secure jobs for Ji Tan and his children at the construction site and had also provided them with financial support.
Whee said she felt "invisible" after Ji Tan's daughter's biological mother arrived, noting that the girl began to distance herself once May appeared, according to The Thaiger.
Whee expressed disappointment but said she would step aside and let May claim the bodies.
Image via Channel 8 (Facebook)
Authorities confirmed that compensation for Ji Tan will be handed to his daughter, while compensation for Kyaw Tat will be given to May
May, who left behind her elderly mother and young daughter to make the cross-border journey, paid 12,500 baht (RM1,647) to enter Thailand illegally.
She told reporters she had travelled through forests and mountains with a companion familiar with the route. Despite the emotional blow, May said her priority now is to bring her husband and son home for a proper funeral.
Image via Channel 8 (Facebook)
