As usual, time flies. Believe it or not but we're already in the final weeks of 2020 and despite the pandemic, which has put much of the world in idle mode, it's been quite an eventful year here in Thailand, especially on the political front. But is there another way to create a better society other than mass demonstrations and fierce online wars with complete strangers who think differently? Is there anything one can do that will instantly and effectively result in positive change?
How about volunteering and social work?
For example, take the North's annual air pollution problem, which is due to return soon as the dry season sets in. Instead of just venting anger or despair on social media about toxic smoke caused by the illegal burning of farmland and public forests, what if people teamed up to prevent the problem from happening again? As the upcoming smoky season approaches, has the public planned ways to support the concerned agencies known for having limited manpower and resources? In fact, there are several things people in cities in the North like Chiang Mai can do to help such as volunteering for forest patrols or setting up a fire reporting network in each province.
Also, a talk with a nearby forest fire prevention unit, other agencies, and villages along the forest about how communities can help would be a good starting point.
In other parts of the country, there are other problems in each neighbourhood which provide opportunities to people to become part of the solution.
Recently, I met a lady who said she helped the elderly near her massage shop apply for the Khon La Khrueng scheme in which the government pays 50% of the price of food and other products purchased using smartphones. That was thoughtful of her and such assistance means a lot to older people who are not so accustomed to digital technology.
If you're not ready to initiate a project yourself, simply choose one of the many that are already available to join. You'll find plenty of communities of hard-working and well-intentioned volunteers in different fields online besides just websites full of distorted news, bigotry and hate speech. On Facebook alone, you can explore pages and groups that provide people with the chance to engage in social work such as teaching needy children both in urban and remote rural areas, garbage collection in public places, making donations of warm clothes for families in mountainous villages, cleaning tiger and bear enclosures in a wildlife quarantine centre, donating unused cosmetics for volunteers who help make the deceased look good for their funeral, and more.
In each of the following links, there is a variety of volunteer activities for you to choose from. Hope you can find one that inspires you to take part in.