‘Toon’ hits Bt849m after Tak run

By The Nation

 

 

ARTIWARA “TOON” Kongmalai finished day 47 of his charity run yesterday, having covered 50 kilometres ending in Tak province and with donations soaring to Bt849 million.

The rocker started the first leg of the day from the house of Dr Diew in Tambon Mai Ngarm Tak province and heading to the first stop at a Caltex service station 17 kilometres away. He was due to complete his fourth segment at a roadside resting place in Lampang’s Thern district, which borders Tak.

 

Team officials said that the mountainous terrain caused the runner to shorten the first lap to just 17 kilometres.

 

 Artiwara and his teammates were given moral support from local people who showed up to cheer them on throughout the day’s route.

As of yesteray, Artiwara had covered 1,790 kilometres, leaving about 400 kilometres to reach the final destination in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.

 

People in some northern and northeastern provinces have organised parallel charity runs in their respective provinces to support Toon.

 

In Khon Kaen, home to one of the 11 hospitals eligible to receive funding from Toon’s fundraising campaign, more than Bt6 million was raised in a seven-kilometre parallel run organised on Saturday by the provincial administration and the residents.

 

Khon Kaen Governor Somsak Joengtrakul said that, since Khon Kaen was among the 11 recipients identified by Artiwara, it was appropriate for the province to show its support by organising it own fundraising run.

 

A crowd lined the seven-kilometre route to cheer the runners and make donations.

 

In Nan province, Governor Paisal Wimonrat led over 1,000 people and officials in a charity run and walk in Muang district.

 

Over a thousand people from all walks of life took part in the activity. Participants were able to choose from a 3.5-kilometre walk or a seven-kilometre mini-marathon run. Bicyclists could choose between three different 15-kilometre routes that converged at the Khuang Muang plaza.

 

Organisers said they organised the event not only to raise donations for the rock star’s charity run but also to encourage the people of Nan to engage in increased physical exercise to help prevent illnesses and lower state medical expenses. 

 

Donors contributed Bt2.2 million at the event. 

 

The cash has been handed to Paisal, who will forward it to the marathon-running rock star’s hospital aid project.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30334158

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-18

In my opinion, in 10-15 years this guy, given the right political climate (what ever that means here) could be running this country...In a poll I took with 1300 vocational students 95% said Body Slam was there number 1 band. And if he continues with these sort of publicity attracting charity events his popularity will grow with the older set as well.  

Edited December 17, 20178 yr by kaorop

That this guy is doing something good is no doubt about. He is a real hero. That he is a popular musician among young and middle-aged members of the society, is also not a doubt about.
That he could be up for running the country as above states, can be a reality based on that he probably can perform better than most politicians made here seen on a historical plane.
The question, though! Does he have what it really takes to be able to do that, seen out of the skills really needed? Also, does he have the interest to make this happen, or is he just more satisfied with his life as it is? I guess, time will tell that story.

The huge amount of money raised by this great endeavour, worries me.

 

There must be some out there desperate to get there greedy hands on some of it. 

Another watch maybe.

I really hope it all finds its way to the needy 

3 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

The huge amount of money raised by this great endeavour, worries me.

 

There must be some out there desperate to get there greedy hands on some of it. 

Another watch maybe.

I really hope it all finds its way to the needy 

You are dead right in beeing worried. The thing is that I am quite sure the Toon, himself, is going to see to that the money reach the hospitals in the designated portions it is meant to be. There I do not see the problem.

The problem starts after the money reached it´s final destination. Look at some doctors, that think they stand over the law. Look at some schools where there is extorsion, bribes and embezzelment.
Look at all the places where somebody in a higher or power position has the possibility to bring something extra to their doorstep.

That´s where the real problem is lurking, and for that there seems to be no solution in the minds of people that has the power to change.

This rocker rocks , I wonder how many rockers now or in the past could even run let alone long distances every day . How many Brit rockers died too early in the past from drugs and booze ?

2 hours ago, Get Real said:

You are dead right in beeing worried. The thing is that I am quite sure the Toon, himself, is going to see to that the money reach the hospitals in the designated portions it is meant to be. There I do not see the problem.

The problem starts after the money reached it´s final destination. Look at some doctors, that think they stand over the law. Look at some schools where there is extorsion, bribes and embezzelment.
Look at all the places where somebody in a higher or power position has the possibility to bring something extra to their doorstep.

That´s where the real problem is lurking, and for that there seems to be no solution in the minds of people that has the power to change.

Yes I agree Toon is not the problem 

This guy is a legend. Full respect to him and his efforts. I hope it rewards him well.