Helping The Devastated Philippines Immediately....

[sirchai]

Hello and Sawasdee khrap,

I'd met my wife in Phang Nga and I wanted to buy a house at a place called "Baan Nam Khem", but we then decided to move to the northeast, where my wife's from.

Only a few weeks later, the Tsunami hit Takua province so bad, killed many of our friends and I still got the smell of death in my nose, as we drove down to Phang Nga immediately.

What we saw, is almost impossible to describe with words. Now, reading the news, I was just thinking there must be a way to "make" Thai school teachers feel confident in helping the victims of this catastrophe.

I just came back from the principal's office, talked to one of the assistant directors and they'll now inform all teachers, but also students to donate some money/ clothes. medicine etc....

I know that the majority of Thais do not know what has happened in the Philippines. I also contacted some people in Europe and more and more people are willing to help now.

My point is pretty simple and understandable. Humans can only survive three days without water and maybe 18 without food. We just got hit by a flood here and i thought it had partly destroyed my life.

I'm working at a so called "World Class Standard School", with the title "ASEAN learning school. I'm sure that helping devastated people will encourage many Thais to rethink their own selfish behavior.

My suggestion to the principal was to send money to the Philippine Red Cross. Would that be the most proficient way, as I'd like that this help really arrives where it's needed and won't disappear in some peoples' pockets, as usual.

Any ideas would be deeply appreciated. Please spread the word, so many Thais could do something. -

[masuk]

An excellent thought and to be commended. I used Red Cross to make my little bit of help.

Of all the news services, I've found the BBC World news giving excellent coverage, which has often moved me to tears.

I was in Tacloban a few times not so long go, and hard to imagine that where I stayed was destroyed and had 6 metres of water over it.

[HeijoshinCool]

Red Cross is blemished now, too, but likely still the best chance to get help to people that are desperate. And the lesson to locals here can't hurt.

I'd say go for it.

Kudos.

[namdocmai]

If the red cross wouldn't pay such extra-ordinary salary's like 1-200k us$ or even more a year then sure many people would give more. Nevertheless i think it is a shame that the Asian neighbours don't help the Phillipino's.

I asked my wife why Thailand doesn't give any money and she said: ohh we have no money and are busy with the Amnesty-story. Okay, i learned something new then.

When i want to buy a new product i first check where it is made, from now on. Also for doing business.

I have been in Manilla only 1 day, did not like it there and got big problems when they sacked all their pilots from Phillipine Airlines on 1 day but even that does not give me any hard feelings against those people.

I still don't know why the Asian country's don't want to give money but i guess it has to do with the oilfields between China and the Phillipines. Also the religion will play a role i guess.

If that's the case then i learned even more from all this and will draw my conclusions for the future.

Correct me if i'm wrong but China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore did not give any funds. Amounts lower then 1 million us$ i don't even count.For Cambodia, Vietnam, and the rest i don't know what they donated to help but they should hurry up or they are also on my list.

If i was mr. Thaksin i would donate 25 million in the name of Thailand. Just for fun.

[sirchai]

I'm still in a state of shock, as our "brilliant" Thai head teacher was pretty much upset, as I wasn't asking her, before I went to the principal's office.

Then my American colleague informed me that she'd be "pissed" about me, as i din't inform her beforehand.

The superficial head teacher was upset and she told me that Thailand had already sent 3 million baht......she makes 70,000 baht a month and can't even speak the language she's "teaching."

She also mentioned that she didn't want her name on any documents i had written. I did that for a special purpose. To help those who need water and food now. There;s no time to wait a week ,as many need drinking water and food now.

Sad to say so, but it seems that they give a flying kangaroo about it. Thainess at its best.Or better Heartless.Another lesson learnt in the Land of Hubs. -

,

[masuk]

Well, the neighbouring non-Asian countries and Europe have all made substantial donations, and have flown in medical teams, the US has an aircraft carrier on the way which can produce vast quantities of drinking water, plus a good deal of man-power from the crew.

My experience there is that there is a lot more poverty than I've ever seen in Thailand.

I've shown some newsreel footage to my Thai house mates,and they couldn't care less.

Sad to think that some folk think this is a religious thing.