Several hundred people took part in a mass "Ice Bucket Challenge Thailand" in front of a city department store to raise around two million baht for two charities on Friday morning.
The event arose from a challenge by TV talk show host Vuthithorn "Woody'' Milintachinda, who wanted up to 1,000 people to join the event.
Participants are requested to donate money to two charities, a fund to assist patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), operated by the Prasat Neurological Institute, and the Thai Red Cross Society.
Woody was joined by many Thai actors and actresses at the event.
The Public can donate to the fund to assist patients with neurological symptoms at three different banks: Krungthai Bank via account No. 020-1-33312-0, Bangkok Bank via account 090-712612-2 and Siam Commercial Bank via account 026-430952-1. Then send the bank transfer slip to the fax number 0-2354-6118.
The Ice Bucket Challenge was first launched in the US to raise awareness about ALS disease.
The challenge has been well accepted in Thailand with many top executives of leading organisations joining the campaign and making donations to many different charities.
However, a doctor has warned that taking the Ice Bucket Challenge may be dangerous to people with asthma due to the sudden change in the body’s temperature and possible bacterial infection if the water is dirty.
Cold iced water is ready in the red buckets. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Participants in Ice Bucket Challenge Thailand pour the cold water on their heads. (Photo by Wisit Thamngern)