Thailand Seeks Ways To Help Haiti

[webfact]

HAITI'S DISASTER

Thailand seeks ways to help Haiti

Thailand and Mexico on Monday meet to seek ways to help thousands of Haitians who were affected from the powerful earthquake last week.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he invited with a Mexico's Charge d' affairs to meet at the foreign ministry on Monday to seek possible humanitarian assistance to Haiti which had been rocked by the quake.

About 70,000 bodies have reportedly retrieved from the debris and wreckage of Haiti's captial.

The idea came after Kasit met Mexican representatives during a Forum for East Asia and Latin America Cooperation in Japan recently.

Kasit Said, on the sideline of the meeting Thailand asked Mexico to act as facilitator for sending assistance to Haiti as Mexico is the nearest neighbour to Haiti

He added, Mexico is currently making a list of assistance Haiti is needing as on additional things to add to the needs in Haiti. Mexico has sent ambulance boat with 200 officers and 5 cargos planes contained with dried foods.

Foreign Minister said that Thai government will work with The UN in providing assistance to Haiti so that the work will be set systematic and effective.

Foreign Ministry will chair a meeting of a joint committee on Tuesday to discuss help for earthquake victims in Haiti and may decide to provide them rice to help them.

-- The Nation 2010-01-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Briggsy]

By the time a Thai committee gets its ass into gear, all the real aid work will have been done by the Red Cross, EU, Americans, Cubans, Canadians, Dominicans etc. However you can bet the committee members will all hoover up their per diem allowances and then figure out how to spend the budget so that some of it is diverted to their brother-in-law's mate's wife's shell company.

Never one to miss a "sound good" opportunity for corruption, them politicos.

[animatic]

Fly in rice and charcoal starting TODAY.

[Thailand]

Looks like reaction to the original $20K pittance has caused sufficient embarrassment to generate more words and perhaps some action. As another poster said a great opportunity for a few gov minister's relatives to siphon off a few pre Songkran baht

[LuckyLew]

Send Taksins 76 B Bht they are going to keep

[slapout]

I think its ironic that Mexico and others have already sent initial shipments of much needed aid/assistance and here, there will be a joint committee meeting tomorrow???? to determine what Thailand will do. Wonder if the 20,000 pledge has been sent? The routing of said funds is in all likely hood another master piece, the shell/pea game comes to mind. Self, think positive, do not be so cynical.

[connel707]

Fly in rice and charcoal starting TODAY.

I got a cockroach in mine..!!!!!!! but no charcoal..

[geriatrickid]

Mexico?

I can understand why Thailand might hesitate approaching the Americans for fear of getting lost in the shuffle, but Canada is the 2nd largest source of foreign aid in Haiti. Why not ask the Canadians? They have an additional 1000 personnel on the way to bring their contingent of immediate military peacekeeprs to 2000 and have both the airlift and infrastructure in place to minimize any losses due to corruption, logistics problems etc. Is Thailand afraid of asking the Canadians or even the UN which already has the facilities in place?

What's needed is money to rebuild. Not rice.Not charcoal. All of these things are available in more than sufficient quantities from the USA and Canada. Even medical supplies are available Once the USCGS provided air traffic control, both the USA and Canada had evacuation and relief flights operating within hours of the quake. The problem now is simply one of logistics and dealing with a port that is out of service and a 1 runway airport. Mexico closest? Maybe the Thais should look at the location of Miami or pay attention to the fact that the Canadian airforce is only 3 1/2 hours away from its Trenton airbase all the way up north. Seems to me like a poor attempt at saving face. Maybe they should just be quiet and stop making fools of themselves on the national stage.

[ronz28]

Send English speaking Doctors with some medical supplies to treat the trauma injuries and the tropical diseases that are expected to soon increase there due to the lack of water and sanitation. Volunteers and/or Thai prices for Doctors and supplies should get them more bang for the baht. Perhaps Mexico can provide medical supplies because they are nearby and also have cheap prices for medical supplies.

So far it looks like most of the outside civilian relief effort has been relatively ineffective except for "Doctors Without Borders" which is the only relief workers some Haitians have seen.

[GungaDin]

Thailand has the volunteers but very few speak English.

So they stay at home!

The Thai/UN police unit have great difficulties finding troops who can understand orders in the Intl language. English!

Great pay and conditions & plenty of volunteers...

Very frustrating for the head of the unit...... The Thai guy I met recently who has been deployed to many trouble spots

overseas, told me recently.

When is this country going to make English a compulsory language in their education program???

Good, sensible post by Ronz28

Edited January 18, 2010 by GungaDin

[infernalman7]

The Thai gov't is useless. Here's what you can do now to contribute to Haiti (from Thailand):

DTAC users only: SMS 'haiti' to 4567890. Cost 10 baht per SMS. All of this will go to the Thai Red Cross (no fee charges)

Bank transfer to: Thai Red Cross. Account Number 0452880006 at SCB Bank, Sapakhachat Branch.

Channel 3 this morning reported that the current totals of the donations at Thai Red Cross is now about 40 million baht. This is from Thai businesses and public. NOT THE GOVERNMENT!!

[dttk0009]

The Thai gov't is useless. Here's what you can do now to contribute to Haiti (from Thailand):

DTAC users only: SMS 'haiti' to 4567890. Cost 10 baht per SMS. All of this will go to the Thai Red Cross (no fee charges)

Bank transfer to: Thai Red Cross. Account Number 0452880006 at SCB Bank, Sapakhachat Branch.

Channel 3 this morning reported that the current totals of the donations at Thai Red Cross is now about 40 million baht. This is from Thai businesses and public. NOT THE GOVERNMENT!!

I would never donate to anything in Thailand. Too much corruption and the tsunami has already proven that people here are relentless when it comes to scams and running off with donation money.

[geriatrickid]

I don't know why people keep referencing English. The primary language of Haiti is creole. French is the 2nd language and English is only spoken by a small minority of the population. With an illiteracy rate in excess of 50%, Haitians obviously don't have much opportunity for language instruction.

[Davidusaf99]

For those who want to make sure your donation gets counted - please donate to the American Red Cross and their Haitian Earthquake relief fund - their website is found here http://www.redcross.org

[infernalman7]

The Thai gov't is useless. Here's what you can do now to contribute to Haiti (from Thailand):

DTAC users only: SMS 'haiti' to 4567890. Cost 10 baht per SMS. All of this will go to the Thai Red Cross (no fee charges)

Bank transfer to: Thai Red Cross. Account Number 0452880006 at SCB Bank, Sapakhachat Branch.

Channel 3 this morning reported that the current totals of the donations at Thai Red Cross is now about 40 million baht. This is from Thai businesses and public. NOT THE GOVERNMENT!!

I would never donate to anything in Thailand. Too much corruption and the tsunami has already proven that people here are relentless when it comes to scams and running off with donation money.

It's your choice. You can donate via any of the channels available. You can also do it through Google.com

[webfact]

HAITI

Bangkok to donate Bt30m and rice to Haiti

By The Nation

Thailand will donate Bt30 million and tonnes of rice as a humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Haiti, deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said Tuesday.

He said the government will organise public donations to help the country whose capital was hard hit by the powerful earthquake last Tuesday.

"The center of the collecting of the public donations will be located in the Government House. The donation period will last 15 days, starting from Wednesday," he said.

In addition, the government will also donate 20,000 tonnes of rice to Haiti.

He said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and PM's Office Minister Virachai Viramethikul would further discuss how to provide more assistance to the country.

Authorities have estimated 200,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless in the quake-ravaged heart of this tragic land, where injured survivors still died in the streets.

The world pledged more money, food, medicine and police. Some 2,000 US Marines steamed into nearby waters.

Six days after the earthquake struck, search teams still pulled buried survivors from the ruins.

-- The Nation 2010-01-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[lazygourmet]

HAITI

Bangkok to donate Bt30m and rice to Haiti

By The Nation

Thailand will donate Bt30 million and tonnes of rice as a humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Haiti, deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said Tuesday.

He said the government will organise public donations to help the country whose capital was hard hit by the powerful earthquake last Tuesday.

"The center of the collecting of the public donations will be located in the Government House. The donation period will last 15 days, starting from Wednesday," he said.

In addition, the government will also donate 20,000 tonnes of rice to Haiti.

He said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and PM's Office Minister Virachai Viramethikul would further discuss how to provide more assistance to the country.

Authorities have estimated 200,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless in the quake-ravaged heart of this tragic land, where injured survivors still died in the streets.

The world pledged more money, food, medicine and police. Some 2,000 US Marines steamed into nearby waters.

Six days after the earthquake struck, search teams still pulled buried survivors from the ruins.

-- The Nation 2010-01-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Correct... That's the message we have just received from Khun Korn (through facebook):

ต้องขอบคุณเพื่อนๆ FB ทุกคนที่แสดงความห่วงใยและความต้องการมีส่วนร่วมกับการช่วยเหลือประชาชนที่ Haiti ขอแจ้งว่าวันนี้ ครม. มีมติช่วยเหลือเพิ่มเติมด้วยการส่งข้าวให้กับ Haiti ปริมาณ 20,000 ตัน ,เพิ่มเงินบริจาคอีก 1แสนเหรียญสหรัฐ และการจัดให้มีศูนย์รับบริจาคโดยรัฐบาลเป็นเจ้าภาพ รายละเอียดการรับบริจาคจะแจ้งให้ทราบในวันสองวันนี้ครับ นอกจากนั้นจะมีการจัดแพทย์และช่างอาสาไปช่วยชาว Haiti ด้วยครับ

Sorry mods... translation doesn't seem to work with this one

Edited January 19, 2010 by lazygourmet

[GungaDin]

I don't know why people keep referencing English. The primary language of Haiti is creole. French is the 2nd language and English is only spoken by a small minority of the population. With an illiteracy rate in excess of 50%, Haitians obviously don't have much opportunity for language instruction.

Read my post again, you geriatric old dill.

I ref Thai volunteers for overseas work.

If you watch the clips on utube there are a lot of peeps who speak English in Haiti.

[webfact]

HAITI

Bangkok to donate Bt30m and rice to Haiti

By The Nation

Thailand will donate Bt30 million and tonnes of rice as a humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Haiti, deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said Tuesday.

He said the government will organise public donations to help the country whose capital was hard hit by the powerful earthquake last Tuesday.

"The center of the collecting of the public donations will be located in the Government House. The donation period will last 15 days, starting from Wednesday," he said.

In addition, the government will also donate 20,000 tonnes of rice to Haiti.

He said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and PM's Office Minister Virachai Viramethikul would further discuss how to provide more assistance to the country.

Authorities have estimated 200,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless in the quake-ravaged heart of this tragic land, where injured survivors still died in the streets.

The world pledged more money, food, medicine and police. Some 2,000 US Marines steamed into nearby waters.

Six days after the earthquake struck, search teams still pulled buried survivors from the ruins.

-- The Nation 2010-01-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Correct... That's the message we have just received from Khun Korn (through facebook):

ต้องขอบคุณเพื่อนๆ FB ทุกคนที่แสดงความห่วงใยและความต้องการมีส่วนร่วมกับการช่วยเหลือประชาชนที่ Haiti ขอแจ้งว่าวันนี้ ครม. มีมติช่วยเหลือเพิ่มเติมด้วยการส่งข้าวให้กับ Haiti ปริมาณ 20,000 ตัน ,เพิ่มเงินบริจาคอีก 1แสนเหรียญสหรัฐ และการจัดให้มีศูนย์รับบริจาคโดยรัฐบาลเป็นเจ้าภาพ รายละเอียดการรับบริจาคจะแจ้งให้ทราบในวันสองวันนี้ครับ นอกจากนั้นจะมีการจัดแพทย์และช่างอาสาไปช่วยชาว Haiti ด้วยครับ

Sorry mods... translation doesn't seem to work with this one

Please do not post Thai language. Thai language is only allowed in the Thai language forum.

raw translation by Google:

Thanks to all FB friends who express their concerns and needs are involved with helping people to Haiti today to alert you that Crm. resolved by sending more aid to Haiti rice supply 20,000 tons, adding another donation. U.S. $ 1 billion. And provide a center donated by the host government. Details of donations received notice on the second day ครับ. In addition, physicians are organized and never volunteer to help people of Hait</span>

[MTLae]

"U.S. $ 1 billion"

I think the 1 billion is a mistake, it should be 1 million, isn't it?

[indothai]

It's sad, but they don't need money.

What they need are some heavy equipments to lift concrete.

They need proper personel to operate those machinery.

They need medical personel and supplies to tend to the injured.

They need military personel to protect all the above.

All of the above can be provided by the USA, China, and most of Europe.

Funny how the scientists probably warned them of the impending disaster...

Funny how governments ignore the warning then put the guilt on the rest of the world.. asking for help.

Sad how people finally realize the word... "too late".

If you are going to donate money.. becareful... make sure you did your homework properly.

I think Thailand donating rice is a good idea... as long as money doesn't get into the "mix", then most of the rice should get there.

my 2cents.

[Jingthing]

It's sad, but they don't need money.

Yes they do!

[dttk0009]

It's sad, but they don't need money.

What they need are some heavy equipments to lift concrete.

They need proper personel to operate those machinery.

They need medical personel and supplies to tend to the injured.

They need military personel to protect all the above.

All of the above can be provided by the USA, China, and most of Europe.

Funny how the scientists probably warned them of the impending disaster...

Funny how governments ignore the warning then put the guilt on the rest of the world.. asking for help.

Sad how people finally realize the word... "too late".

If you are going to donate money.. becareful... make sure you did your homework properly.

I think Thailand donating rice is a good idea... as long as money doesn't get into the "mix", then most of the rice should get there.

my 2cents.

Money pays for all of those things.

[infernalman7]

It's sad, but they don't need money.

What they need are some heavy equipments to lift concrete.

They need proper personel to operate those machinery.

They need medical personel and supplies to tend to the injured.

They need military personel to protect all the above.

All of the above can be provided by the USA, China, and most of Europe.

Funny how the scientists probably warned them of the impending disaster...

Funny how governments ignore the warning then put the guilt on the rest of the world.. asking for help.

Sad how people finally realize the word... "too late".

If you are going to donate money.. becareful... make sure you did your homework properly.

I think Thailand donating rice is a good idea... as long as money doesn't get into the "mix", then most of the rice should get there.

my 2cents.

You're wrong. They need the money from countries that are wayyyy to far away from them to do anything. It is no use for Southeast Asian countries to contribute other stuff other than money considering the logistics. Countries like Brazil, Mexico and the US can provide all other stuff. Many organizations have already made an announcement that they need money more than anything from countries in Asia/Europe.

[GungaDin]

It's sad, but they don't need money.

my 2cents.

[jontom]

Thailand has the volunteers but very few speak English.

So they stay at home!

The Thai/UN police unit have great difficulties finding troops who can understand orders in the Intl language. English!

Great pay and conditions & plenty of volunteers...

Very frustrating for the head of the unit...... The Thai guy I met recently who has been deployed to many trouble spots

overseas, told me recently.

When is this country going to make English a compulsory language in their education program???

Good, sensible post by Ronz28

It is compulsory and most Thais experience 10 years plus of studying English at school. Unfortunately for them its usually with a Thai English teacher who has a Thai University degree in English. With this mickey mouse, toilet paper degree it follows that they obviously are unable to either speak or teach English. They are however usually good at walking around with a stick and scowling at everyone which in the LOS qualifies them for the job as an educator.The result is a population that is mostly ignorant of English. TIT.

[infernalman7]

^^ English in Thai schools are quite similar to in Korea and Japan... the system just doesn't really work

[GungaDin]

Bangkok to donate Bt30m and rice to Haiti

By The Nation

Is the gov't trying to give the impression that they, the gov't, are donating 30m,

when in fact it's the Thai public's donations that amount to 30m?

20KB plus some bags of rice! Well done Thai pollies!

Please correct me if I have the wrong end of the stick.

---------

To infernalman7 & jontom

Thanks for your replies, they make sense, sadly...

[mackayae]

Send the Royal Thai Police to work under the UN peacekeepers. All of them. Give the Haitians a free unlimited visa to visit Thailand.

[Fishbucket]

Following the latest aftershock even more help will be needed for longer.