Charity/ fundraising ride for the devastated, burned school in Wiang Pa Pao

[KTMphil]

With this tragic fire at a boarding school happening a few days ago, Steve from Chiang Rai set about organizing a local fund raising for the families of the children that were killed and severely injured in the fire. Organization of the event is in the link below & it wasn't long before a group from Chiang Mai were interested in volunteering too:


http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...8160-chiang-rai-school-fire-fund-raising.html


We had a couple of flakes of the morning of the event but still a decent turnout at such short notice. The plan was to meet up with the Chiang Rai group about 80km north of Chiang Mai at a coffee shop with aircon.

Chiang Mai group, off we go up R 118

RIMG5772 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


RIMG5768 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Lots of different speeds, a good place to re-group is at the hot springs just before Mae Kachan. The road is straight & there's a massive filter lane off the highway.


RIMG5775 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Safely to The White Cup Coffee, now, no sign of the Chiang Rai riders yet


coffee1 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Wasn't (too) long and we were all together & only 6km to the school from there

RIMG5782 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


One of the two Indian Scout's on the ride

RIMG5783 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Meet and greet riders you hadnt seen in a while


RIMG5781 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG5779 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Marty has some kind of mild bike drama, once he arrived we were off

RIMG5785 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



As you come around the school to the back right, this is your first view of the dormitory where the blaze was

DSC_3867 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



A local hilltribe ritual was underway while we were there


DSC_3868 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_3871 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



The remembrance structure had 18 bottles of water next to it , for the 18 little girls that died in the fire, so that they don't get thirsty on their journey

DSC_3869 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


DSC_3872 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

You walk around the back and it blows you away how bad it must have been.

DSC_3876 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



The fire was in the rear of the ground floor, the immense hit caused the domitory floor above to come crashing down


DSC_3889 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



The real gut-sinking sight was that there were bars on all the downstairs windows, none of the schoolgirls could get out


DSC_3885 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_3883 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_3881 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Bars visible everywhere on the windows


DSC_3874 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

It looks like a basketball hoop metal frame was pushed up against the house to get some of the girls out of the upstairs window which didnt have bars


DSC_3893 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



You can still see the handprints in the smoke dust and imagine how horrible it must have been


DSC_3905 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Steve and Jim taking a look around inside

DSC_3901_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_3882 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_3902_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



The roof

DSC_3884 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



The kitchen without much wood didnt see the heat of the fire


DSC_3898 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Bars on the windows from the dorm rooms to the kitchen area


DSC_3878 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_3890 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Over 78,000 Baht was raised in a short time. One gentlemen said he's company would match whatever was raised, so over 150,000 Bht in the end, which will be distributed to the families of the affected school girls. R.I.P little girls, a tragic event. 38 girls in the dorm., 17 died, 2 are in hospital



Half the group then stopped at C & C for a late lunch on the way home, an excellent, well organized event


RIMG5786 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

A friend in Chiang Mai called Charles said after seeing this that he was going to bring a suitcase full of smoke detectors over from the USA to fit in the charity schools.

What do people think about an idea of raising funds for smoke detectors & every year build into rides a visit to the schools to change the batteries on the smoke detectors?

 

[bsacbob]

Great idea after visiting the school its easy to see such a small inexpensive smoke alarm would have likely saved these children.

 

[brake034]

Just installing fire alarms is not enough, especially when windows and doors are locked and barricaded.

Apart from hardware, a safety plan should be drawn up, escape doors should be able to open and be free of obstacles.
And regular fire and safety drills with the local fire brigade and the children could be conducted, learning kids how to use a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket and some basic first aid.

Fire alarms can be bought at all the major DIY shops in Thailand, f.e. Homepro in Chiang Rai has them in stock.

 

[lakota]

These things are down to the NGO's and local authority and perhaps culture Brake and not something we can easily influence.

On the other hand a simple Smoke Detector would have Saved these Kids lives by giving them valuable time and is one single thing we could influence.

It is a good Idea but hopefully the local authorities will do it instead

 

[CraigBKK]

http://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiang-rai-fire-safety-officials-press-for-smoke-detectors-in-all-schools-and-dormitories.html

 

[phuketrichard]

nicely done guys,

To young to die senselessly.

 

[Lone Rider]

From Khaosod English - CASE CLOSED WITH NO CHARGES OVER FIRE THAT KILLED 17 CHILDREN


Reprimand only for school officials where a fire killed 17 students

Case closed - no charges

 

[CraigBKK]

Saddening but not surprising...