Cash still coming after Toon stops running

Cash still coming after Toon stops running

Rock star turned charity runner Artiwara
Rock star turned charity runner Artiwara "Toon Bodyslam" Kongmalai wound up his Yala-to-Chiang Rai, 2,215km charity run for 11 state hospitals in Mae Sai district but the cash continues to roll in. (Photo by Chinpat Chaimon)

Donations have continued to flow in despite rock star Artiwara "Toon Bodyslam" Kongmalai completing his 2,215km South to North charity run from Yala to Chiang Rai on Monday.

Toon may have stopped running, but fans and the public inspired by his charity feat have continued donating.

Thousands of people, including a billionaire, high-rank officials and medical personnel from various public hospitals travelled to Chiang Rai pm Tuesday to meet, greet and donate money to Toon.

In the morning, residents in Muang district came out in droves to pay tribute to Toon, chipping in over one million baht more to his campaign. Meanwhile, a famous monk, Phra Maha Vutthichai (Vor Vachirametee) donated 25 million baht raised from the sale of eight paintings he commissioned and which renowned artists painted.

Thailand Records, which collates and authenticates local statistics, presented Toon with a certificate declaring him as the fastest Thai to run from the country's southernmost point to its most northerly -- 55 days.

The pony-tailed rocker looked rejuvenated after 55 days on the road.

He told media that he once thought about quitting the charity run after picking up an injury after 700 km.

"It was the only time that I thought that I might not be able to make it. My legs were really hurting. Yet the medical team put me back to the road and after that I kept running without any serious problems," said Toon, adding he attributed the successful outcome of his charity run to the overwhelming support from the many thousands of people who came out to support and cheer him on.

"Without this support, I would not have been able to run this far. It was like I had an invisible force driving me on," he said.

His run managed to raise more than 1.2 billion baht, which will be donated to 11 public hospitals. Toon is expected to return to Bangkok today, on a plane laid on by the army.

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