Free Hugs Bangkok will give out friendly hugs at busy spots in Bangkok, from Sunday (Feb 1) to Feb 14. The group was co-created by Osito and La Monita owner Kasama Laopanich, Osito’s executive chef and partner Daniel Bucher, businessman Rajen “Raj” Palsingh and Business In Heels’ branch director Nicola “Nicky” Jones-Crossley. The hug-fest will culminate in a Valentine’s Day fundraising event at La Monita and Osito. Find out more about the group on its Facebook page, at fb.com/FreeHugsBKK.
How did the group coem about?
Raj: Over the New Year's holiday, I was sick for like 10 days. I was really sad and all I wanted was a real hug. After some hugs from my daughter, I got better so fast. It gave me the idea that we should go out, give out real, genuine hugs and make people feel better. And I tweeted at Nicky.
Nicky: He asked me if I would be interested in holding a free hugs event in Bangkok and sent me a picture that shows the health benefits of hugs. Two days later, Kasama contacted me on Twitter to ask if we wanted to partner up to do it. We already knew each other before that.
Kasama: Daniel and I already had an idea to do free hugs as Valentine's Day event at my restaurants before I searched "#freehugsbkk" and came across tweets between Raj and Nicky. We liked the idea of creating warm feelings in the city so we joined forces.
WHAT KIND OF PLAN DOES YOUR GROUP HAVE AHEAD OF VALENTINE'S DAY?
Nicky: Starting [on Sunday], we'll have teams of huggers around Bangkok in key locations such as Siam, Asok, Ratchaprasong and Ari. They are going to be hugging people from around 5pm until about 6:30pm. Our teams will be hugging people and collecting donations as well, every day in the lead up to Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day, Osito and La Monita will be hosting a hug-a-thon session.
Kasama: That means people can donate their hugs that evening. You can come and squeeze our huggers, and every hug on [Valentine's Day] will be converted to a B20 donation from the pockets of La Monita and Osito to two charities — Operation Smile Thailand [which offers free surgeries for children with cleft lips or cleft palates] and In Search of Sanuk [which offers food, shelter and education to families seeking refugee status].
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT HUGGING?
Daniel: There are many good reasons to give hugs. Studies show it benefits your health. If you are having a bad day or are stressed out, you'll feel better after a hug. You feel more connected to another person. There are so many people in the city, but we have very little to do with each other in our everyday lives. When our bodies connect, I think it creates this human moment that makes us become less of a stranger to one another.
Raj: The one thing we found was that if people can pass by that invisible security — the wall that people put up — they are immediately elated, and there will be smiles on their faces. It feels great for the hugger, too, because you get to give and receive at the same time. You feel warm on the inside and it makes you feel better all around.
HOW CAN PEOPLE GET IN ON THE HUGS?
Kasama: We still need more volunteers. Anybody who wants to be a hugger can send a message to our Facebook page.
Raj: You can find the hugging schedule [on our Facebook page], too. Come join us with big hugs. Let's take photos and make a viral campaign out of it. People may want to hug their family members or friends when they see these pictures on Facebook or Instagram. We want our hug-fest to spread and go beyond where we physically are. Let's warm Bangkok up with hugs.
