Ricky Martin Delivers Houses To Victims

[george]

"Ricky Martin" delivers houses to Thailand's tsunami victims

PHUKET: -- More than a bright, sexy voice: Singer Ricky Martin delivers houses to Thailand's tsunami victims, plans Christmas Eve concert in Phuket.

Puerto Rican-American singer today visited Thailand for the second time to deliver permanent houses built for tsunami victims in the Andaman coastal province of Phang Nga.

And he's hoping to deliver more: music for healing.

Ricky, better known globally as the man behind the hit "Livin' La Vida Loca" than as his role as UNICEF goodwill ambassador, told reporters after arriving at the southern resort island of Phuket that apart from seeing for himself how his foundation could further help tsunami victims, he also would like to help publicise Thailand's tourism industry along the Andaman coastline which remains attractive.

The Ricky Martin Foundation works with disadvantaged children. And when he returns to Phuket in December there will be healing music in the air... and in the sea...

The Latin pop star then flew to Phang Nga, the hardest-hit tsunami area where he delivered 200 permanent houses built by his Ricky Martin Foundation, in collaboration with other non-governmental organisations, to those who suffered from the tidal waves.

The Latino singer also said he planned to come back to Thailand for a third time to celebrate his 34th birthday anniversary on 24 December at Phuket's Patong Beach.

"I would like to play a special concert there to lift spirits of those who still suffer from the devastated tsunami," said Martin, adding that discussion on the planned concert is underway with the provincial authorities.

The tidal waves struck Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces on 26 December last year, leaving 5,395 people dead and 2,932 are still missing. Many of the victims were foreign holidaymakers staying at the beach resorts in Phang Nga's Khao Lak district.

--TNA 2005-07-28

[NBT TV Phuket]

From http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=137510 click on red arrow for mini-video) & broadcast for Special Report on Andaman News TV11 & FM90.5 Phuket 8.30am Thursday 28 July 2005

The famous pop star Ricky Martin yesterday revisited tsunami affected people to donate houses and promised us to return for a concert on the beach:

When he arrived at Phuket Airport yesterday morning, Ricky Martin told Andaman News exclusively that he was very emotional about returning to see the progress since the tsunami but hoped to help with his own hands and celebrate handing over keys to new houses in Khao Lak:

Arriving at a site in Pruteaw of Thakuapa district of Phang-Nga Ricky Martin was welcomed by Thakuapa district chief officer Chalawsak Vanitcharoen with Tsunami affected villagers. The famous singer presented houses and spent time talking to the locals there as well as walking around the site.

Ricky Martin has donated an undisclosed amount to help Habitat for Humanity International provide homes for tsunami victims in Thailand. Martin, who visited the disaster area following the December tidal wave, has partnered with Habitat to build and restore 224 homes, which will enable more than 1,000 disaster victims to move out of temporary shelters or overcrowded camps, a spokesman for Habitat for Humanity said. The donation comes from the Ricky Martin Foundation, which combats the abuse and exploitation of children, human trafficking and related issues.

Habitat said the foundation asked that the amount not be disclosed, but added: that it was a significant contribution. His gift will help rebuild not only homes, but families who lost more than possessions in the tidal surge.

We also asked Ricky at the airport if he would like to return for the 1st anniversary of the tsunami in December and he told us if it would be nice as his birthday is on the 24th, but he will certainly come back again 2 more times:

And it also sounds like he would like to give Thailand something more, like a big concert on a beach:

So although this was a short visit, it was heartfelt and meaningful with the promise of more in the future.