Update.
The photos here may take a while to become visible but they are all present.
It's worth the wait to see some of the 'stars' behind the scenes.
Well, we're on third base (and I haven't been there for quite a while!)
As of now the RideAsia community has donated the very generous sum of 46,900 baht to help the victims of the Ban Mae Surin tragedy.
Now this is not massaging egos; it's acknowledging generosity, so here are the people who have been so kind by giving money and/or 'goodies'.
bsacbob
Brake (Marcel)
Mark Lakota
2wheels
Ally
Khun Utim at Kasikorn Bank, Thapae Road
Riders Corner
Khun Opal (Riders Corner)
Harry GPS
Frank T
Auke
David R
Gary D
Greg F
Thank you, one and all.
So we had a planning meeting at Riders Corner and it was decided that Khun Som, Khun Opal, Khun Oi and I would go shopping for the necessary items.
We knew what was needed, essential survival items, so headed out to Makro on Hang Dong Road.
We had made a little sign saying 'Help' and pasted some poignant photos from Ban Mai Surin on it.
Apparently some Know-it-All from another site has suggested that, in these circumstances, what is needed is cash.
Yeah sure. We rock up to Khun Yuam with an envelope containing 47,000 baht and hand it to a complete stranger.
Yeah sure,
all of that cash will get to the people
who actually need basic commodities. Duh!
:RE
So we spoke to Makro management and 'no' they were not willing to donate even a packet of chewing gum!
Well, Makro Hang Don Road, here's my donation to you.
Undeterred, we proceeded to fill four trolleys with such necessary items as
toiletries
noodles
sanitary items
fruit drinks
water
canned food
children's toys and games
That was a bit over 17,000 baht spent.
And my friend's ute (pick up) was full!
Next, we went to an excellent second hand clothing outlet on Hang Dong Road (2kms from the Airport and almost opposite Tesco Lotus).
The ladies got many bargains there and a good 'deal' from the shop owners.
3,300 baht spent on all forms of clothing for children and adults.
The ladies at Riders Corner had also donated many items of clothing.
And every single item of clothing obtained today was neatly and lovingly sorted and folded by the ladies; not just screwed up and thrown into a bag.
Back to Riders Corner to recover!
Many nice things happened today.
Such as HarryGPS running in, shirt wet with perspiration, smiling as he handed over cash and a couple of huge bags of clothing.
Such as the people in the shop near Riders Corner walking up and handing over a box of clothing.
Such as Mark 'Lakota' arriving with his brand new 500X and tales of woe from Honda Big Wing, yet willing to support our cause.
I hope you find that riding that bike will soon push the Big Wing experience into the background Mark.
Khun Som had already arranged for a huge pile of 'flip flops' to be delivered, which duly arrived.
By now my friend's old ute was packed to capacity.
Luckily, Ally arrived with her ute, so we began to load that as well.
As I write this Khun Som and Ally will have been to the markets and obtained such items as
fresh fruit and vegetable
rice
candles
mosquito repellant
The end result is that by 7am tomorrow two packed 'utes' will be heading towards Khun Yuam.
And, appropriately, that will be Good Friday.
I suspect more donations will come and and another trip to Khun Yuam will be required.
I look forward to that.
So, as I have said earlier, a big thank you to all who have participated.
And to my three shopping companions; you were brilliant and fun too. Thank you!
