Community Birthday Party Cancelled as Danish Man & Thai Wife Donate to Evacuees

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A Danish national and his Thai wife have turned a birthday celebration into a act of generosity, donating essential supplies to evacuees and a local hospital amid ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

At around 13:30 on 26 July, Otto Villumsen, a Danish national and his wife Ornuma Khetnimitt, alongside her brother Luechai Khetnimiti, delivered disposable nappies to Sri Narong Hospital in Surin Province. The hospital has been receiving patients and injured evacuees from neighbouring Sangkhla and Buachet districts, currently affected by cross-border military clashes.

 

The couple also provided vital household supplies, rice, instant noodles, canned fish, drinking water, mosquito repellent, underwear, sanitary pads and other necessities, to evacuation centres in Sri Narong. The distribution was coordinated by Mr. Luechai, who is the manager of BT Concrete Co. Ltd., with the support of company staff.

 

Mr. Villumsen said he had travelled from Denmark to Thailand to celebrate his birthday with his wife and her family. Upon learning of the military conflict occurring close to his wife’s hometown and the subsequent evacuation of civilians to nearby shelters, he felt compelled to help.

 

“My wife told me about the evacuation centres in Sri Narong. Since they are near where we are staying, I thought it was right to do something for the people suffering in this situation,” Mr. Villumsen explained.

 

Mrs. Ornuma Khetnimitt shared that she traditionally marks her birthday with almsgiving and a family meal. Her husband travels from Denmark every year to be part of the celebration. This year, however, the family decided to cancel the festivities after hearing news of the clashes and the evacuation of large numbers of civilians.

 

“Instead of a party, we donated essentials to the hospital and shelters. My younger brother and our company staff helped deliver the items. It may not be much, but it comes from our hearts,” she said.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-07-28