Plarm was abandoned by her parents in Thailand when she was six and since then she has lived with friends, strangers, even on the streets.

"Her parents are a couple of drug addicts who have dropped out. We haven't heard from them for six months now," Ken Ritchie said.

To put an end to their granddaughter's neglect, the Ritchie's brought her home to North Queensland on a Tourist Visa in the hope of securing a protection order to allow her to stay permanently - an application the Immigration Minister has rejected with no explanation.

"When I told her the Minister had declined her visa, she was broken hearted, she just burst into tears," Ken said. "It's heartless, totally heartless. I don't think he has considered she is only 11 years old," he added.

In the last year and a half, Plarm has transformed into a happy little girl, with plenty of friends and for the first time in her life, she is going to school. Sharon McKeown is one of hundreds of locals who have fought to keep Plarm from being sent back to the streets of Thailand.

"There is nothing over there for her and I can't see why they are considering sending her back," she said. "I don't think any child deserves that treatment at all when she is getting the perfect treatment here," Sharon added.

For children without anyone to look after them in Thailand the options are few - many end up on the streets, either sold or lured into prostitution. But still the Immigration Department is sending her back. Hetty Johnson is from the child protection group, Bravehearts. She is appalled by the Minister's lack of compassion.

"I don't think the Minister has properly looked at the case because if he did, there is no way he would be sending her back there. She is only a little girl, she has no-one to go back to. She should stay with her grandparents," Hetty said.

The Ritchie's have no choice but to make the most of their last days together. They are still hopeful the Immigration Minister might have a change of heart. "If he lets her stay, he's got a brilliant Australian because she is a bright little girl, she really is an absolute asset," Ken said.

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