Thailand Flooding - How Can We Help?

[itishothere]

I have been watching the disaster unfolding for huge parts of Thailand, and the impending troubles for Bangkok.

Only today I found the shelves of BigC and Tescos half empty of many things, and tonight, my local 7-11 equally devoid of produce.

If here on Samui we are starting to suffer, how are the millions of Thai (and Farangs) coping elsewhere? Many have lost everything. Many are surviving without water and electricity on the second floor of their homes. For many the future is bleak.

How can we help?

This is a serious question. It is not intended to provoke political responses like it seems to do elsewhere on this forum. How can we help the many people in these desperate times?:jap:

[Theo007]

My church congregation ( all foreigners ) is contributing about 15,000 bahts worth of rice.

[Seeker1953]

May I suggest a donation to the Red Cross. I know they are working hard to help in this crisis. Sorry I don't have a better idea. I live in Bangkok and its wonderful to see how many 'falangs' are out there filling sandbags, packing dry foods, generally doing what they can.

Today I witnessed several hundred people patiently waiting while a substantial donation from Big C was prepared. Everyone present received a bag full of essentials then climbed over the sandbag barrier. They made their way back to flooded homes in boats, floating devices of all sorts and even a temporary foot bridge. I am deeply impressed by the polite manner of so many people in such dire need. And good on Big C for their generosity.

I know this is not a direct response to your post, but I hope you'll forgive me. I'm just so moved by these people I wanted to share it.

Seeker

[samuijimmy]

There are many families or relatives who have come down to Samui from affected flooded areas to stay with families or friends here, I know of three just in my area here... who arrived over the week end.

That has to be tough to leave what little they probably had...when they are able to go home, they probably won't have anything left to go back too...

Tesco here (I would think all of them) have Donation boxes to help the flood victims....

As the two previous posters have said, Red Cross, Churches /Temples etc are probably all good places to leave donations to help out....

This sounds like it won't come to and end quickly... and getting the farms up and running again is going to be a long and daunting task.... not to mention rebuilding of dwellings etc ...

Sympathies to all those who have lost love ones already.

[sbk]

Thai Red Cross

http://www.redcross.or.th/old/english/donation/moneydonate_internet.php?sc=0046&insertflag=1

[itishothere]

Thanks for the replies. I will be using the Red Cross as has been suggested as it seems to me to be the safest way to get my cash converted to supplies that are needed.

Thanks again.

[yorkie100]

As an alternative,there is an orphanage known as the Mercy Centre situated in the Klong Toey area of Bangkok.

The orphanage itself has not been directly hit by the flooding, but its Director, Father Joe Maier is involved in helping local families and schools directly affected by the disaster.

You may wish to contact them to donate funds to help those badly affected families.

I believe (only my opinion) that although the Red Cross is a great organisation and does tremendous work around the world, a considerable chunk of any funds donated goes towards wages and admin of the charity.

I can assure you as we know them well, that Fr. Joe would use any donated monies 100% to buy much needed food/water or whatever and distribute to those in need. Contact details are on their website:

(www.)mercycentre.org/

[DrChopper]

As an alternative,there is an orphanage known as the Mercy Centre situated in the Klong Toey area of Bangkok.

The orphanage itself has not been directly hit by the flooding, but its Director, Father Joe Maier is involved in helping local families and schools directly affected by the disaster.

You may wish to contact them to donate funds to help those badly affected families.

I believe (only my opinion) that although the Red Cross is a great organisation and does tremendous work around the world, a considerable chunk of any funds donated goes towards wages and admin of the charity.

I can assure you as we know them well, that Fr. Joe would use any donated monies 100% to buy much needed food/water or whatever and distribute to those in need. Contact details are on their website:

(www.)mercycentre.org/

Nice alternative yorkie. To be objective though it's just not possible for an organisation the size of the red cross to be effective without investing in admin (including wages). It is important for these charities to have best of market leadership to do as much good as they do, and that comes at a cost. I would expect you will find details of their % admin cost on their website, it won't be hidden away.

Obviously people should donate to whoever they feel comfortable, and it sounds like Joe Maier is one of life's good guys!

[yorkie100]

As an alternative,there is an orphanage known as the Mercy Centre situated in the Klong Toey area of Bangkok.

The orphanage itself has not been directly hit by the flooding, but its Director, Father Joe Maier is involved in helping local families and schools directly affected by the disaster.

You may wish to contact them to donate funds to help those badly affected families.

I believe (only my opinion) that although the Red Cross is a great organisation and does tremendous work around the world, a considerable chunk of any funds donated goes towards wages and admin of the charity.

I can assure you as we know them well, that Fr. Joe would use any donated monies 100% to buy much needed food/water or whatever and distribute to those in need. Contact details are on their website:

(www.)mercycentre.org/

Nice alternative yorkie. To be objective though it's just not possible for an organisation the size of the red cross to be effective without investing in admin (including wages). It is important for these charities to have best of market leadership to do as much good as they do, and that comes at a cost. I would expect you will find details of their % admin cost on their website, it won't be hidden away.

Obviously people should donate to whoever they feel comfortable, and it sounds like Joe Maier is one of life's good guys!

This of course is true of ALL charitable organisations, I totally agree.

I was not criticising the Red Cross, merely stating my own preferred way of donating.

Indeed, Father Joe and his staff will already been paid salaries from charitable donations to the HDF Mercy Centre.

That is why I am confident that 100% of any sums sent to him now will be used to help those in need during the flooding disaster.

[Tropicalevo]

As an alternative,there is an orphanage known as the Mercy Centre situated in the Klong Toey area of Bangkok.

The orphanage itself has not been directly hit by the flooding, but its Director, Father Joe Maier is involved in helping local families and schools directly affected by the disaster.

You may wish to contact them to donate funds to help those badly affected families.

I believe (only my opinion) that although the Red Cross is a great organisation and does tremendous work around the world, a considerable chunk of any funds donated goes towards wages and admin of the charity.

I can assure you as we know them well, that Fr. Joe would use any donated monies 100% to buy much needed food/water or whatever and distribute to those in need. Contact details are on their website:

(www.)mercycentre.org/

100% spot on about Father Joe

[Rooo]

Further to SBK's post other alternative methods for Red Cross donations:

DONATE TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS IN THAILAND

Bank name : Siam Commercial Bank, Sapakachat Thai Branch

The Thai Red Cross Current Account Number : 045-3-04190-6

Account name : Thai Red Cross helps flood victims in Thailand

Swiftcode : SICOTHBK

For issuing the receipt of the donation, please fax transfer slip together with name and address of the donor at fax 0 2256 4069. For further information, please contact Tel. 0 2251 7853-6 or 1664.

.......................................

Bank name : Kasikorn Bank, Silom Main Branch

The Thai Red Cross Current Account Number : 001-1-34567-0

Account name : Thai Red Cross for Disaster Relief

Swiftcode : KSITHBK

For issuing the receipt of the donation, please fax transfer slip together with name and address of the donor at fax 0 2252 7976. For further information, please contact Tel. 0 2251 7853-6 or 1664.

[PoorSucker]

http://thehub.childlinethailand.org/donate/flood-relief-appeal/

[itishothere]

BigC have a collection point on their upper floor for the flood victims. People seem to be leaving bags of clothing.

If anyone could translate the notice - it is possible that they are only asking for specific items - then it would be much appreciated.