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Thai Kingdom celebrates HRH Princess Soamsawali’s 45th Royal Birthday Anniversary
Saturday July 13 marks the 45th Royal Birthday
Anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali. Her Royal Highness
is well known for her dedication in helping the poor and is loved by the
people of Thailand.
Pattaya
Mail and the people of Thailand humbly wish Her Royal Highness Princess
Soamsawali a very happy 45th Royal Birthday Anniversary Saturday July 13.
Born in 1957, Princess Soamsawali married Prince
Vajiralongkorn, the Crown Prince on January 3, 1977. The following year,
she gave birth to their first child, Her Royal Highness Princess
Bajarakitiyabha, also the first grandchild of Their Majesties the King and
Queen.
Princess Soamsawali is involved in many charitable
organizations and activities, particularly those dealing with public
welfare, and is often accompanied by her daughter. Her Royal Highness also
tirelessly attends royal functions.
A member of the Foundation Committee, the princess
began her work at the Saijai Thai Foundation in 1975 by visiting and
boosting morale of military and police officers, volunteers and civilians
who were injured in the fight against terrorists and admitted at various
hospitals.
Princess Soamsawali often presides over the annual
Thian Song Chai (Candle in the Mind) Festival. The festival has been held
on World AIDS Day, December 1st since 1991.
The festival’s main function is to promote more
understanding in Thai society toward HIV and AIDS victims. It is a vehicle
to show Thais that HIV-infected people are not dangerous to the public,
and in fact members of this group can make positive contributions to their
families and communities. Princess Soamsawali was the keynote speaker for
the 4th International Congress on AIDS held in the Philippines in 1980 and
vigorously champions the AIDS prevention movement.
Princess Soamsawali’s kindness has also been extended
to Red Cross projects such as the “Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV
Infection Project” and the “Friend Helps Friend While in Difficulties
Project” and was instrumental in setting up the “Home Care Project”.
HRH the Princess performs other duties on behalf of
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at graduation ceremonies, such as
conferring degrees or certificates to graduates. She also presided over
the opening ceremony of the Disabled People’s Day Fair at Suan Amphor.
A recent visit to the Bang Khae Home for the Elderly
reflects her concern for the well being of this sector of the population.
The old folks were delighted and truly honored by her appearance and she
made them very happy.
The people of Thailand extend a “Happy Birthday” to
Her Royal Highness and wish her much happiness.
On a Wing and a Prayer?
By Dr. Iain Corness
On my hands and knees I shuffled backwards towards the
space where the door used to be on the plane. On my back was Khun Vinai,
my “buddy”, the man who was clipped to my harness and who was going to
get me safely to the ground from our cruising altitude of 10,000 feet. We
inched out the door, the wind clawing at my legs as they emerged into the
slipstream - and then it happened. I fell like a stone down a well, the
horizon blurring as I tried to focus and work out what was happening. My
first thoughts were, “Oh Sh*t! I’ve left my buddy behind! And he’s
got the parachute!” Then equally as suddenly we changed from vertical to
prone, I got the pre-arranged three raps on the shoulder to tell me he was
still there and to spread my arms out and we were skydiving.
 “Crocodile
Corness” looking pretty confident before the adventure begins.
The noise, as you hurtle towards the earth at 120 mph,
is almost deafening, but then into focus came the other three skydivers
who had been in the plane with me, one with a helmet TV camera and one
shooting stills, and the third was Belgian Patrick, the prize fighter,
giving me the thumbs up of encouragement.
The free-fall was 5,500 feet taking approximately 30
seconds, with the chute being deployed at 4,500. This was like an
invisible hand suddenly and roughly yanking you into a vertical position
again. I groaned as the crotch straps of the harness bit into my dangly
bits, but then everything changed again. An eerie quietness enveloped us
after the roar of the free-fall, as we floated gently towards terra firma.
Then I saw that the other skydivers were still hurtling downwards and I
felt sick. Was I going to witness three strawberry sandwiches in the
making? No, almost in unison, their parachutes opened and I could see they
were safe, probably a thousand feet below me.
 The
tension (or is just attention?) begins to show as the takeoff draws near.
Khun Vinai gave me the controls for the parachute and
showed me how to turn one way and then another. The chute itself gave
little flapping noises, somewhat akin to the flap of the sails in a yacht,
but much softer. It was so peaceful and relaxing, I began to wish we could
have stayed up for longer, but gravity will not be denied. Khun Vinai took
the controls again and we slowly glided towards the drop zone, landing
softly, back on solid ground.
I sat there, still shackled to my buddy, as people came
up to congratulate the novice after his first jump. My grin ran from ear
to ear. A lifetime’s ambition had been achieved. The last one on my
list, which previously included riding speedway motorcycles, riding “in
the chair” of a racing motorcycle side-car outfit, SCUBA diving, motor
racing to F1 standards and flying in every aviation device from
helicopters, gliders, Tiger Moths, ultralights, microlights, flying boats
and even a blimp.
 The
Doc manages a nervous smile as he receives pre-jump training.
The jump was arranged through Siam Air Sports, Saha
Industrial Estates, Sriracha, telephone 038 482 628, and MD Rob Loveridge
and his chief instructor Matt Patrick are to be congratulated on getting
this venture “off the ground” to use a very apt turn of phrase. There
was a quiet professionalism displayed by the skydivers which was very
reassuring for the tyro. Even on the 20 minute plane trip as we climbed to
10,000 feet (great views, by the way), they were solicitous of me and my
welfare, and at the end shared my elation, as if it were their first jump
too. But that was far from the truth - Khun Vinai having completed
thousands of solo jumps and I was his 194th tandem.
Hail,
hail, the gang’s all here - just before takeoff and notice how the Doc
already has a firm grip on his “buddy”.
If you wish to try something that the vast majority of
your friends have not got the “bottle” to do, then the free-fall
tandem jump will cost 6,500 baht. You will get all the necessary
safety-checked gear supplied, but what is even more important is the
reassurance from the experienced skydivers with you.
 I’d
gulp, but there’s no moisture in my mouth. Are we really going to do
this? Flying Frog and Karamba show they are ready to go.
There is also a “static line” jump that can be
done, where you jump out at 2,500 feet and the chute will open
automatically and you descend gently into the warm waters of Maprachan
Dam. Yes, you do wear a life jacket, so you’re not going to drown, and
they have boats ready on the lake to pick you up. The reason for the
landing into water is that you are not going to turn an ankle on landing,
something that takes some learning for hard earth returns. That ‘solo’
experience will cost 4,500 baht, but for me, the dual thrill of the
adrenaline rush free-fall and then the spectacular glide down from 4,500
feet makes the tandem jump the preferred option. The experience is
something that will last a lifetime. Believe me!
Flying
Frog gave me the thumbs up of encouragement.
 All’s
well - I got the pre-arranged three raps on the shoulder to tell me my
buddy was still there and to spread my arms out and we were skydiving.
 As
we slowly glided towards the drop zone, landing softly back on solid
ground, I began to wish we could have stayed up for longer, but gravity
will not be denied.
 Bombs
away! My first thoughts were, “Oh Sh*t! I’ve left my buddy behind! And
he’s got the parachute!”
 Well
- maybe not that softly!
As
people came up to congratulate the novice after his first jump, my grin
ran from ear to ear. A lifetime’s ambition had been achieved.
Nittaya Patimasongkroh to chair YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya
Installation Night 2002
Laor Thongpradap
Nittaya Patimasongkroh was announced as new chairwoman of the
Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Bangkok-Pattaya. The announcement
was made at the installation night, held at the Town in Town Hotel Pattaya to
officially announce the new YWCA board of management and staff for 2002-2004.
 Reverend
Chamnan Saengchai from Wattana Church, Bangkok lights a candle for the new
chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Chapter Nittaya Patimasongkroh.
Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat gave the opening
speech at the gala event, which was well attended by representatives and guests
from government and private sectors, including Sansak Ngarmpichet, advisor to
the minister of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment; Chamnan
Saengchai, reverend of Wattana Church, Bangkok, and blind students from Pattaya
Redemptorist School.
 Sansak
Ngarmpichet (left) and Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat (right) give roses to new
chairwoman Nittaya Patimasongkroh.
Reverend Chamnan began the installation night began with a
religious service. Following the service, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, was officially
announced the new chairwoman of YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya for 2002-2004, and
presented a silver gavel by Premruedee Jittiwutthikarn, immediate past
chairwoman of the club.
Blind students from Pattaya Redemptorist School presented an
on-stage musical performance to greet the new chairman.
Schoolchildren
from the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind performed a welcoming show
for the newly installed board of management.
Pattaya’s mayor presented funds donated to support
anti-drug projects in Pattaya, worth of 10,000 baht, to Sopin Thappajug, the
club’s honorary advisor and judge of Chonburi Family and Juvenile Court, and
the blind students participating in the ceremony.
 Premruedee
Jittiwutthikarn (left), immediate past chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya
presented a silver gavel to Nittaya Patimasongkroh, the new chairwoman of the
club.
Premruedee Jittiwutthikarn, former chairwoman of the local
chapter of the YWCA said, “We have worked hard all through the years and are
proud of our club’s achievement today. I don’t think that changing the
club’s chairwoman will affect the role of YWCA. Surely, I’ll still have to
assist the club and members and be the chairwoman of many projects, such as the
Warm Family Project, Children’s Lunch Project, and others.”
 Chairperson
of the YWCA Bangkok Asst. Prof. Sukjai Nampood (left) presents a welcoming gif
to the new chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Chapter Nittaya Patimasongkroh.
Nittaya Patimasongkroh, new chairwoman of YWCA said, “This
is my first time as chairwoman of the club. I’ll do my best to run ongoing
projects and make them successful. We run activities to help children and women,
and support the family institution. This has always been the YWCA’s main
objective.”
Obviously
delighted, the new chairwoman, Nittaya Patimasongkroh greets her new board of
management.
Battling the Crab
Part 1 of a 6-part series about fighting cancer
by Leslie Wright
A Death Sentence
“You have less than two years to live.” Imagine for a
moment how you might react upon hearing those words. Quite literally a death
sentence. But that was the pronouncement of the professor of thoracic medicine
sitting across from me last November, telling me I had terminal and inoperable
lung cancer.
If you are battling cancer yourself, or have a close friend
or relative with cancer, I hope that these insights of my own experience with
The Crab will help you have a greater understanding of what we go through, and
how those around us can be supportive, helpful, and understanding.
People still shrink from the terrible word cancer, even if
they themselves have not been diagnosed with this dread disease. But I have, so
I know something of what one goes through. The overwhelming initial shock of
being told you have cancer. That you have only a limited time left to live. That
you have to get your affairs in order. That you won’t have the time or the
chance to do so many of the things you had hoped and dreamed of doing...
Some people faint at the news; some burst into tears; some
try stoically to hide their shock. Some simply refuse to believe it. But it is
always, nonetheless, a terrible shock.
Doctors now have a much better understanding of what cancer
is and what causes it. As a result of the development of new drugs and better
early diagnostic methods, many forms of cancer can now be cured which just
twenty or thirty years ago were almost certainly a sentence of death. There is
even a radical new treatment for leukaemia, which just a few years ago was
regarded as one of the worst cancers and a sure killer.
Mammograms have become routine in the early diagnosis of
breast cancer, and new treatments have been developed for this common and
much-feared disease which in many cases no longer require the radical and
disfiguring surgery that was common practice 20 years ago.
Hysterectomies - although radical surgery - have for many
years been effective standard procedure to prevent the metastasis of uterine
cancers to other vital organs, if detected early enough, resulting in patients
being able to live a long and normal life (other than being unable to have more
children).
About 50% of men over the age of 45 develop prostate cancer.
Yes, 50%! But what used almost always to require horrible and disfiguring
surgery once detected can now be diagnosed much earlier by a simple blood test;
and various non-invasive treatments are available which have a high success
rate. I wonder how many Pattaya-resident men over the age of 45 bother to have
the simple annual blood test? It could save your life!
What is Cancer?
Cancer is simply the Latin word for crab. If your birthday
falls between June 22nd and July 23rd you are born under the sign of Cancer, the
Crab. But that does not give you a predisposition to develop the disease of the
same name!
Cancers are not infectious nor contagious, so you needn’t
worry that you will catch the disease by coming into contact with someone
afflicted by it.
Although there are many different types of cancer, they are
all basically cells which have started multiplying out of control. All cells in
our bodies are regularly replaced, and the old cells normally die and are
absorbed back into the body. Cancer cells behave abnormally: they multiply
rapidly and go on multiplying, as if the ‘off’ switch were stuck.
But this out-of-control growth doesn’t just happen:
something has to trigger it. Cancer, we now know, is not a single disease with a
single cause or cure, but a flock of diseases that are somehow triggered either
by our own bad habits - smoking and diet to name but two - or by carcinogens in
the atmosphere or our buildings (e.g., asbestos in older buildings or less
strictly-regulated countries), or in some instances, are linked to our genes.
For instance, one cancer which is rare outside Asia -
nasopharyngeal cancer - has an inordinately high occurrence amongst people of
Cantonese origin; and the trigger is strongly suspected to be an ingredient in
dried fish, which is a popular item in their diet. In this case, it seems that
the trigger is a combination of diet and genetic predisposition. If detected
early, this type of cancer can be successfully removed surgically, but if left
to develop, it is generally fatal.
Certain types of brain tumours have also been linked to
heredity; and those cancers that afflict women (but not men) also have a
hereditary link.
So if there’s a family history of cancer, you stand a
statistically greater chance of developing it. Of course you can play ostrich
and say it will never happen to you, or say you prefer not to know, and never
have the diagnostic tests.
But nowadays these tests are much simpler than they used to
be, and are so important to early detection - which is vital to catching the
tumour in the early stages, before it has had a chance to spread to other organs
and gain an unbreakable hold on your body.
As medical science conquers diseases that used to cull the
population, so more people are succumbing to one or another form of cancer. The
good news is that new drugs are being developed all the time, and scientists are
achieving a better fundamental understanding of how the various types of cancer
function, and thus how they can potentially be defeated.
A personal view
But what about my particular case - what did I go through?
What options did I explore? What were the effects of the prescribed treatments?
How was my life affected?
As I said at the start, in November 2001 I was diagnosed with
mixed small-cell and large-cell carcinoma - inoperable lung cancer - and given
less than two years to live. But I am one of the very fortunate 5% who go into
clinical remission, so I have been given more time than was originally
estimated.
Statistically, though, my chances are still not good: 50% of
carcinoma patients die within the first 12 months, and 85% within 5 years of
diagnosis. Small-cell carcinoma is a particularly insidious disease: it lurks
and hides and comes back when least expected, sometimes after years of being in
remission.
So being “in remission” does not mean “cured”. Many
types of cancer metastasise (i.e., travel to other organs and flare up there),
and some - like mine - hide away for a while and then come back again. And
usually with a vengeance: the secondary tumours often develop faster than the
first time round, and are resistant to first-line therapies - radiation and
chemotherapy.
On the bright side, however, I have a client who was
diagnosed with the same disease and given 6 months to live - but that was 10
years ago, and he is a hale & hearty US college professor who has as much
drive and energy as many men half his age. The insights he has shared with me of
his own experiences battling The Crab have been of inestimable help in getting
through my own dark days, and his frequent messages of support have boosted my
morale tremendously and fortified my will to win the fight over this insidious
tumour. Indeed, his inspiration together with the many messages of support and
encouragement I received from friends, clients, and even complete strangers, are
the main reasons for my writing this series of articles, which I hope will be of
some small help in understanding, or coming to terms with, or boosting your
spirits, if you or a loved one, relative, or friend has cancer.
(To be continued next week)
Christina B to headline children’s charity concert July 18 at Thai Garden Resort
Elfi Seitz
Christina B will showcase a charity concert poolside at
the Thai Garden Resort beginning at 7 p.m. on July 18.
The famous singer from the Philippines who once lived
in Pattaya (her husband was the general manager of the Mercure Hotel) is
returning to Pattaya for a brief holiday and was persuaded to sing for a
worthy cause. Now her friends and fans will have a chance to see her
perform in a stunning concert aimed at raising funds for two children’s
charities.
 Christina
Bien-Betourne (left), shown here with Elfi Seitz, the Thai Garden
Resort’s guest services manager, will headline a children’s charity
concert on July 18 at the Thai Garden.
The proceeds of the concert will go to the YWCA Happy
Family Project and to AIDS infected children at the Camillian Center in
Rayong.
The concert will also mark the launch of Pattaya Blatt,
a German language version of Pattaya Mail, for our German speaking
community.
Christina Bien-Betourne is a well-known singer in her
home country. She comes by it naturally. Her father, a famous musician was
her teacher and a very strict one. Christina said her father was always
harder on her than the other music students, but stressed she is thankful
for his stern encouragement because without that forced discipline she
knows she would never have reached the top of her profession.
Christina found that nothing worth doing well comes
easily. She also studied dancing and acting, and got her big break working
in Manila TV productions. Soon after, her career took off and she became
an international performer.
During her travels she met her husband, hotelier
Laurent Betourne, and she decided to end her career as a singer and become
a wife and mother. About 4 years ago the couple landed in Pattaya, when
Laurent was hired as general manager of the Mercure Hotel.
During the couple’s stay in Pattaya, Christina did
much benevolent work for the community. An active member of the Lions Club
Pratamnak, she helped with various charity projects whenever she could.
And even though she had no intention of starting a second career singing,
she performed for two sold out charity concerts here in Pattaya, the first
at the Moon River Pub, and the second an emotional farewell concert at the
Green Bottle.
Now, after a two-year absence, her many friends and
fans will be happy to learn she is back! For one show only, poolside at
the Thai Garden Resort.
Tickets are available at the Thai Garden Resort or at
the Pattaya Mail office for 750 baht inclusive of wine, beer, soft drinks,
buffet, concert and other exciting shows (children get in for half price).
The children are counting on your support and hope that
all of you will be showing up to enjoy a great evening.
Henry J Beans celebrates American Independence Day with “Wild West” theme
Laor Thongpradap
Last week you could smell and hear the American Fourth
of July a block away if you happened to be in the vicinity of Henry J.
Beans. The place was decked out in USA mini-flags and the theme was
American’s Wild West days. Staff dressed as cowboys and cowgirls greeted
customers with a “Howdy, ya’all” and a long list of tasty American
food was on the menu.
The
Crossroads Band and Wild West bedecked staff entertained the crowds on the
4th of July at Henry J Bean’s.
As customers stepped up to the long bar to quench their
thirst, cow punchers wearing ten-gallon hats and roughriders sporting
Stetsons served them drinks. The saloon was crammed with Westerners of
many nations who joined in the fun of the American Independence Day
celebration. Country and western music was provided by the only
‘farang’ band in Pattaya, Crossroads Band. American music filled the
room and the dance floor was packed with merrymakers.
Hungry customers gorged on Tex-Mex food and washed it
down with beer or margaritas. To add merriment and good will to the
celebration Henry J. Beans offered a Happy Hour drink which meant if you
bought one drink, you’d get another free. So the drinks were flowing and
the food was disappearing fast. Just like the celebrations taking place in
good old USA.
Amari Hotel Pattaya executive assistant manager Michael
Goetz explained that Henry J Beans Bar & Grill is part of Amari Hotel
and features the American style theme. The bar and restaurant specializes
in Tex-Mex and Western food and Western entertainment.
The service staff is meticulously trained to be
outgoing and friendly. This makes Henry J Beans one of most popular
entertainment places in Pattaya and it’s full of customers every night.
Henry J Beans was a perfect venue to provide the Fourth of July
celebrations because of its traditional American atmosphere, food and
service style.
Is it an allergy?
Allergic conditions can make life intolerable for some
people. There are so many “trigger factors” that can send a previously
well person into fits of sneezing, coming out in blotchy rashes and even
asthma. Understanding just what Allergies are about can make handling the
problem much easier, and the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital is running a free
bilingual allergy seminar to make this confusing issue clearer.
On Sunday 21st July, Dr. Trin Charumilind, M.D., FAAI,
FACAAI, (Allergist), is presenting the seminar between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Registration and refreshments are from 8.30 - 09.00, with the lecture
session from 9.00 to 10.30 and then 30 minutes of a question and answer
session.
For more details, please contact the International
Department, Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital, tel. 038 427 777, ext. 1150,1155 or
email bphint @bgh.co.th
As places are limited, reservation is essential, so
contact the International Department promptly. They will need details
including name, age, nationality and contact phone number.
Amari Eye Glass Appeal
Amari Hotels and Resorts is asking all spectacle
wearers to gather together old or unwanted glasses and drop them off at
any of their hotels and resorts in Thailand. The glasses will then be
given a happy new home with people from villages in less affluent areas,
where the villagers are unable to afford glasses.
The appeal is part of Amari’s “Baht for a Better
Life” Foundation where small change from guests and donations from staff
are used to further the education of children in Thailand.
At present, two different initiatives are supported -
the Duang Prateep Foundation and the Amari Schools Project. The Duang
Prateep Foundation helps the children of Klong Toey and their families. In
this underprivileged area, poverty prevents the majority of children from
completing even basic education. Selected children, who are especially
hardworking and determined, are sponsored to continue their education.
Through the Amari Schools Project, funds have been used
to rebuild a dilapidated school in Na Chompoo, Udon Thani and to build
three new schools in Doi Angkhang near Chiang Mai, Chumporn in the South
of Thailand and Tak near the border with Myanmar. As well as building the
classroom, donations have been used to buy essentials such as desks,
chairs, blackboards, books and pencils.
The Huay Pong Institute in Rayong: One of our main beneficiaries this year
by Lewis Underwood
As mentioned earlier in our series of press releases,
“Who Are Our Partners and Who Will Benefit?”, we have expanded our
scope this year and added the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institute (ECWPI)
in Huay Pong, Rayong, as one of our beneficiaries, in addition to the
Fountain of Life Children’s Center and the Pattaya Redemptorist School
for the Blind.
Between Ban Chang and Rayong cities at the junction of
Sukhumvit Road and the road to Maptaphut Industrial Area, where the
flyover is presently under construction, lies the Huay Pong Institute for
orphaned and abandoned children. The Institute, under the auspices of the
Welfare Department in Bangkok, is actually situated on both sides of
Sukumvit with the girls’ section on the south side and the boys’
section on the north. Both sides include buildings for living quarters,
schooling and vocational training. At present there are approximately 120
girls and 150 boys at the Institute.
We got involved with the Institute through the Rayong
Ladies Circle, who has been involved with Huay Pong for a long time now.
Mrs. Helle Rantsen approached us earlier this year about joining the BCTFN
and others in the renovation of a number of buildings serving as living
quarters for the boys and girls. While visiting the Institute with Helle
and Brendan Richards from the Pattaya Mail, we decided to take on
the renovation of Building A on the boys’ side, basically a long
dormitory-style room, which is currently the residence for the 24 boys
between the ages of 3 and 6. We also decided to construct proper bathing
and toilet facilities adjacent to the pre-existing structure. (Witnessing
the heart-wrenching abandonment of a 4-year old boy by a father, who could
no longer afford to raise his child, cemented our commitment to this
project.)
In general, the Institute supplies each child with 26
baht a day for food, some toiletries every month, and 2 uniforms per year
for the children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old. Each building is
manned by two supervisors alternatively, who unfortunately have little
proper training in dealing with the often traumatized kids that show up at
he Institute.
A typical day for the children starts at 0600 with a
quick wash, some exercise and a breakfast of boiled rice or noodles. By
0800 school starts in overcrowded classrooms, due more to the lack of
teachers than space. A lunch of fish soup or omelet is served between 1130
and 1300, after which schooling then continues till 1530. Though there is
a luxury of open space and green grass beneath large shade trees, there is
little provision for playing, except for football for the older boys.
Otherwise, besides just running around, the younger kids have no
playground or toys for their recreation.
Dinner, a rice meal with some pig fat, is served at
1700, and at 1900, all the kids need to be in their ‘dorms’ to do
their homework, usually on the floor, before turning in for the night.
The older kids have access to vocational training,
which includes carpentry, electronics, furniture making, plumbing,
mechanics and hair cutting for boys, while the girls receive
hair-dressing, tailoring, traditional massage and artificial flower-making
skills.
Fifty years ago, the buildings were part of a
provincial prison, the bars from which are still in evidence. Though the
durability of the buildings gives testimony to the hardwood used,
dilapidation and termites are finally taking their toll and weakening the
structures. As a result there are holes in the roof that let the rain in
and holes in the floor, which make for tenuous footing. Additionally, the
buildings show uneven settlement from the sandy soil and the thin walls
offer little protection from the heat. We figure for between 350,000 to
400,000 baht we can reinforce the foundation, put in a new floor, insulate
the walls, reinforce the support beams and put on a new cement tile roof,
in addition to providing complete new and clean toilet and bathing
facilities.
There are innumerous charitable causes for children in
the region all in need of help from outside sources. We invite you to join
in the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2002 and help us give
assistance to the children at the Huay Pong Institute, School for the
Blind and the Fountain of Life Center. Please contact us at JCD
[email protected] or visit our site: www.care4kids.info
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