GOMS member Paul Newson explained, “The reason for Nakhon Sawan as a destination is that it’s where my family is. I was planning to drive up there with an empty pickup truck and thought that was a wasted resource.
“While our family have had their homes flooded, they have the resources that will enable them to get back on their feet. There are so many people worse affected in that area, who can be assisted by us.
“Our plan is to give everything to several of the large wats in the surrounding area for final dispersal of the items; to the needy not the greedy.”
Mr Newson stressed, “We do not want money. We ask that people buy something useful that we can take with us.
“I have been asked by a number of people what to donate. My guess is as good as anyone’s. I try to imagine what people need when they are able to return to what’s left of their homes and find everything ruined.
He gave a list of suggestions: “Cooking utensils, sleeping mats, bed linen, towels, mops and buckets, brooms and shovels for mud removal, rice cookers, charcoal cookers (the ones in buckets), electrical appliances, clothing of all description, old TVs and radios, old computers (for schoolchildren), school materials, books pens etc, basic first aid items, soap, washing detergent … the list goes on.”
So far, three pickups are in the convoy. The plan is to leave in a month or so when the floods have receded enough to allow road travel.
Mr Newson said, “We’ll go when the flood waters have subsided and people can return to their homes; my guess is about a month. Too early and we become part of the problem rather than assistance to the folk. This also gives us more time to collect stuff.”
Donations can be delivered to Alan’s Bar at Chalong Pier; Safeway Storage on Chao Fa West Rd in Chalong; Safeway Asia Auctions on the airport road just north of Thalang; and Lady Pie in Cherng Talay.
For more information contact Mr Newson by email to paul@thaibondall.com
Other groups collecting aid donations for sending to flood-hit areas are urged to contact The Phuket News, which will be happy to spread the word. Email editor@thephuketnews.com