UBON RATCHATHANI: Actor Bin Bunluerit has wound down the public donation campaign he launched in mid-September to help flood victims in this northeastern province, with contributions standing at more than 422 million baht as of Wednesday.
Bin, 57, special affairs manager of the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, and his younger twin brother Ekkaphan Bunluerit, also a rescue volunteer, announced the decision to stop receiving donations at a news conference at Vijitporn Hotel. Public donations were paid into two bank accounts under Bin’s name.
Bin said donations totalled 422,496,026 baht. He had made 11 cash withdrawals, totalling 82 million baht, to help flood victims between Sept 16 and Oct 1.
“Donated money has so far reached 13,078 affected households, each receiving 5,000 baht. Cash donations have also been given to 1,677 bed-ridden patients, to the disabled and to 51 temples," Bin said.
Ekkapan said the cash donations were given to affected residents in six out of the 15 districts in the province. Financial assistance would reach the remaining eight districts by Oct 15.
After that, the rescue team would go to five other flood-hit provinces in the Northeast and give money to affected households, he added.
All flood-affected households and households with bed-ridden patients and disabled people received equal amounts, Ekkaphan, also known as Tide, said.
“After giving money to affected households, we will start on flood rehabilitation, with Ubon Ratchathani the first province to be rehabilitated. So far, more than 11 schools and temples have applied," he said.
Bin won many hearts after he quickly launched his campaign to help flood victims in Ubon Ratchathani, while the government was slow to come to their assistance.
The actor went live on his Facebook page from Ubon Ratchathani on Sept 14. He showed the troubles faced by residents there and gave his personal bank account number for people who wanted to help. In less than two days, he raised more than 100 million baht.
Bin donated 1.7 million baht from his own pocket.
Cash donations kept pouring into the two bank accounts after he gained people's trust that every single baht would reach flood victims.
Actor Bin Bunluerit, 57, and his younger brother Ekkapan, announce the decision to stop receiving donations at a news conference in Ubon Ratchathani on Wednesday. (Clip taken from@ruamkatanyufoundation Facebook page)