After Athiwat Witphichitchai’s story went viral on Facebook, many people have placed donations in his bank account, raising a scholarship fund to be over Bt600,000 as of Saturday.

Athiwat’s mother died on December 30 and his stepfather asked him to leave the house, so he went to live with his aunt, Junjira Kiartnok.

His biological father left him and his mother when he was four years old, Junjira wrote in a Facebook post.

Athiwat finished secondary school at Buri Ram Pitthaya School.

He passed the exam to study at the chemical department of Kasertsart University’s Faculty of Engineering on March 8 and he is required to pay the first semester’s tuition fee of Bt36,000 by Tuesday.

However, his aunt does not have enough money to fund his education as she is a food vendor and has to shoulder the cost of sending her son to university.

His aunt was advised by friends to post the story on her Facebook wall, after which public support poured in.

Athiwat thanked all the kind-hearted people for their support. He said he now had enough money to finish his studies.

He has consulted with his aunt and has divided the money between his tuition fees and his living expenses.

Apart from donations made to his bank account, three doctors have offered to provide him with a scholarship until he finishes his studies. They are Dr Saowanee Saeng-arun, who has a clinic near Kasetsart University and Dr Siriporn Wichetpong and Dr Somkiart Wichetpong from Roi Et University.

Ahtiwat promised to repay society by helping other needy students after he finishes university and has a job.