Hello and Saswasdee khrap,

I'm in the middle of preparing something what a Thai would call a "Tamboon", or a merit in English. I'm a member of DHV, which is a German aid organisation, called DHV, with country wide members, trying to help people who really need help.

We do not just help German speaking people, as we all live in the same world. Rare blood, urgently needed, please contact DHV, or send me a message.

For this year I've planned to help really poor people in rural Isaan, covering lower north east area. I'm really flattered as so many people already offered their help, the DHV, the German embassy, the German honorary consul in Chiang Mai, various members of the DHV country wide and the German embassy will also make it happen that we'll receive winter clothes, toys, practical things, poor people are lacking of,which people will send to Thailand.

I love this country a lot, but i do not believe in giving monks a lot of money that can buy them a Lear jet, or similar. Quite a few members of mentioned organisation had already sent some money on an account that will be used to buy items you won't find on a second hand market..

But my post is not to ask you for any money, it's more to find out if you've got some used clothes for kids and adults, such as jackets, sweaters, shoes, gloves, etc..pretty much everything a child/adult from a poor background would need as the winter's approaching.

I'm sorry that i had to write such a long story to get to the point. Before and around Christmas, we'll help those who suffer. Some guys who live in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or elsewhere might not know what poverty is. I only have to see the people in my wife's village, or a lot of students at my current school.

Should anybody have used clothes for kids and adults, which they don't need anymore, toys, games, anything, please page me.

Still trying to look for the right place in Ubon, Peppers ( on the way to the airport opposite the Army airport) might be a good one where you can drop some used stuff off, before you throw it away.

Have to apologize as I didn't even ask for their permission yet. But I think positive.And I know they're all good guys.

In Sisaket, I'd think "Living in the Past" (near the police station), would be a good place to drop some used stuff off, where i could pick it

For Kantharalak it seems to be Pizza 4 U,,run by Norbert. If anybody's got some stuff they don't need anymore, please feel free to page me.

Thanks a lot in advance. -

Hi LostinIsaan. I wish you well with your endeavours. One thing though don't try to import anything (even if it is secondhand). There was a similar project to yours operating in this area. They wanted to bring into the Country second hand wheelchairs, medical equipment etc. They too had all sorts of encouragement from Thai officials, but when it came down to practicalities Thai Customs made it impossible,even though it was a charity. Long story, PM me if you want the name of someone who was involved (he speaks German).

I fear you might put the owners of those businesses in a difficult position by announcing them as possible depots before you have talked to them yourself LII.

But not to be negative - good idea. Mental note to self to ask friends and family in falangland to keep their rejected winter clothes in time for next season. I always hand on my own stuff into the 'village network' but I'm not convinced our immediate area is that poor. Would be good to have an outlet if you know that there are recipients who really are on the breadline.

I fear you might put the owners of those businesses in a difficult position by announcing them as possible depots before you have talked to them yourself LII.

But not to be negative - good idea. Mental note to self to ask friends and family in falangland to keep their rejected winter clothes in time for next season. I always hand on my own stuff into the 'village network' but I'm not convinced our immediate area is that poor. Would be good to have an outlet if you know that there are recipients who really are on the breadline.

I'm sorry as I thought I'd have Norbert's number, but it turned out that he must have changed it and just talked to him a minute ago. Frank from Living in the Past is informed and Peppers are aware as well.

A very nice lady, from the german embassy who has to go back in a few days will try to sort things out in Germany. We already sorted out our stuff, unbelievable how many things we found nobody's wearing anymore, washed and ironed it.

The German honorary consul in Chiang Mai did sent some money, which will be used to buy second hand clothes in Sisaket at the Friday market.

Some of the clothes, toys, whatever comes in will go to the poorest kids at my school in the sticks, while some will be given to people in villages around Uthumphon Phisai area.

If anybody has some winter clothes, nit just for kids, please feel free to drop it off at Frank's Living in the Past in Sisaket, Norbert's Pizza 4 You in Kantharalak and Peppers in Ubon.

Thanks a lot for any help. Cheers-

Hi LostinIsaan. I wish you well with your endeavours. One thing though don't try to import anything (even if it is secondhand). There was a similar project to yours operating in this area. They wanted to bring into the Country second hand wheelchairs, medical equipment etc. They too had all sorts of encouragement from Thai officials, but when it came down to practicalities Thai Customs made it impossible,even though it was a charity. Long story, PM me if you want the name of someone who was involved (he speaks German).

Thanks a lot for your post. i was talking to the honorary consul in Chiang Mai and we can't let it run under DHV organisation, as their goal is to help poor German speaking people, who experience emergency difficulties.

The lovely lady from the German embassy will be of great help to sort things out, as she'll have to go back to Germany in a few days.

Trying to find the best way to bypass paying a lot of money for the German, as well for the Thai post.

Thanks a lo9t and a very nice weekend.

Short update. The first batch of clothes for a few thousand baht was bought by my wife today at the second hand market in Sisaket, also called Friday market.

Friends and relatives also help a lot and it seems that we'll have a nice surprise for some poor people before the end of this year.

Some more clothes will be bought by next week and should anybody have some used clothes for kids and adults, shoes, toys, pretty much everything, please feel free to drop it off at Frank's and Nong;'s Livin' in the Past in Sisaket, Norbert's Pizza for you in Kantharalak, or Peppers in Ubon.

Thanks a lot in advance for any help that might come in soon.