MONTECITO, California: The California mudslides had decimated the family of Pinit Sutthithepa, killing his 6-year-old son, Peerawat and stepfather, Richard Loring Taylor, 79. Pinit Sutthithepa and his 2-year-old daughter, Lydia, are missing.
"At 4am the house was obliterated by mud, boulders and rushing water. Literally nothing is left," Mike Caldwell, Pinit's boss at Toyota of Santa Barbara, wrote on a GoFundMe page seeking $25,000 in help for the family.
By early Sunday (Thailand time) more than $71,000 had been pledged, mostly by California people.
By Sunday mid-morning, the goal of the fund had been changed to $100,000, with more than $85,000 pledged.
Pinit's wife Yuphawan and mother Banphoem were working at the time. Another relative, Sirithorn "May" Janthorntho, was rescued by firefighters.
"This family has lost everything but the clothes they were wearing," Caldwell wrote. Sutthithepa is an "exceptional employee, a great husband and loving father," Caldwell wrote. "His family means everything to him."
Pinit 'Oom' Sutthithepa and his daughter Lydia (in his arms) are missing and presumed dead while his 6-year-old son Peerawat (standing) has been confirmed as killed in the California mudslides. (Photo via GoFundMe)
Pinit immigrated from Thailand, leaving behind his wife and two children but sending them money for years until he could bring them to the United States, a friend, Poy Sayavongs, told the Lee Central Coast News.
"They finally were able to make it to the states in the summer of 2016," Poy said. "It's cruel -- they only had a short time together before this tragedy struck."
A month earlier, the family had evacuated to a Red Cross shelter for a night as the devastating wildfire threatened their home.
"I would've never imagined Peerawat would've been killed by the mudslides, when they were able to survive the Thomas fire," family friend Kevin Touly told the Central Coast News. "We're just so heartbroken."
Peerawat, known as Pasta, loved trains, Touly told the Los Angeles Times.
Sometimes, Pinit's wife would join him at work and bring along their children, co-worker Anneliese Place told the Times.
Peerawat would run around her desk and giggle, she said.