I wonder if any of our members can provide some information about the Helping Hand organisation. This is the (I assume), Thai civilian volunteer group that features a palm-front hand as their insignia, and which is often seen on volunteer vehicles.

I'm just interested to know their background, role etc

Thanks - Simon

What I am about to relate is out of date!

And it happened in Chiang Mai some 11 years ago.

An organisation using this name (maybe NOT the one you know now) rented a shophouse in Loi Kroh Road, which had a reputation then for bar girls - rather worse than now.

I think the logo there was two hands shaking hands, but i know for a fact they purported to be a hilltribe 'help' centre and were located very close to where the excellent Chez Marco restaurant is now.

As well as selling handicrafts, they offered massage, neither of which was of interest to me. But being interested in hilltribe 'challenges' I went in there, early evening, just once, to find someone to talk to.

The occupants were middle aged hilltribe ladies with no English, plus a small girl aged about six. She was bright and friendly and very quickly climbed onto my lap and began bouncing about. One woman (maybe her mother) smiled and pointed to the stairs and said "massage!"

In the famous words of a certain UK scandal rag, "I made an excuse and left."

I am not saying that this is the same organisation at all. Just reporting facts from long ago.

@ Flatoutthruthefog - of course this is not the same organisation!

I am talking about the national Thai civil volunteer group called 'Helping Hand', which exists in every village/town, and which uses a single hand as their insignia and wear a brown uniform.

I have never seen any background information about this group - does anyone know what it is called in Thai language? I could then Google it in Thai.

Thanks

Simon