There has been much publicity surrounding Thais and foreigners coming to the aid of those locally who have been left destitute by Covid and the complete failure of central government to adequately assist. My hats off to one and all, who have as I, put their hands in their pockets to help those who are our neighbours.

I had the good fortune to work in India for a few years, speak a bit of a few dialects and have played badminton with the Pattaya Indian badminton group as an honorary outsider for some years. I have found Indian people everywhere to be wonderful in nature, though often I have seen them generalized as cheap and worse.

So, I am happy to have the opportunity to sing their praises right now for their assistance to those in dire straits in and around Nongprue, Pattaya.

With local assistance and wisdom, they decided not to make and give out free meals for all, given many would be taken by passing motorbike taxi/delivery workers, who didn't really need it.

Instead they found where those with nothing were, and have targeted multiple car loads of essential items in bulk, (about a 500 baht weekly parcel per targeted family), minimizing the daily contact small parcels bring. Rice, Eggs, noodles, Oil, Tin fish etc.

In the past week, 50 families have seen their 7 day essentials provided and young mums and wrinkle faced grandmas alike  have shed tears of joy at their unexpected offering.

Yet they seek no coverage or recognition, for doing what they see as their basic duty. In India, donating to those in strife without fanfare is common.

I hope those reading this will give them the respect they deserve for their quiet efforts, especially since they are substantially higher than being provided by pretty much (though not universally), every farang I know.

It is great indeed that a few have come forward to help so many, and praises are due for sure. 

Kudos to all, whether they have taken the spotlight or shied away from it.

Never let it be forgotten though that had the government stood up and helped its people the way it should have, rather than squandering billions on submarines and the like, the need for such generosity would never have arisen.

I've heard it said you should pray quietly in your prayer closet. On the other hand, I believe if you tell people what you're doing, they may think of doing the same. I've taken a family under my wings to the tune of 10k baht/month. This will pay their rent, utilities, and with the stipend the gov't is providing them, they can feed themselves as well. If you can do something similar, please do.

You should look up the local Christian Charity www.handtohandpattaya.com. They have been doing exactly this and a lot more for decades in Pattaya. 

They are always in need of donations of any kind, especially at the moment, and the donations go directly to those who need help the most, so look them up and think about donating.

 

On 8/5/2021 at 7:40 PM, darksidedog said:

though often I have seen them generalized as cheap and worse.

Thanks for pointing out some good points as my eyes have seen some pretty awful realities.. there are always some good ones around. But the good rarely need the recognition.