Some more photos of the rescue operations taking place yesterday in Banglen area- we distributed, candles, food, water and portable toilets to flood victim.
Here is some info on why Jonas, his business partners Khun Prem and Nicolas decided to undertake these rescue operations:
When Jonas Naim, founder, and Pathompong Charoenwut (Prem) from Bsab first heard about the flooding situation in Thailand they knew that they had to do something, but were not sure exactly how could they could provide the most adequate help. They held a meeting with the team and shared ideas, and came to the conclusion that most of the victims have no more electricity, resulting in the fact that they need light and protection from ambient mosquitoes. Bsab then decided to produce floating candles filled with citronella. To give away with every candle they have included a tiny envelope with 2 seeds to plant trees; as soon as the candle is used, they encourage the people to plant the seeds so as to help re- growth, it is also the symbol of a new start, a new beginning.
“We have given away 9000 seeds from 9 various tree species and we hope that from these seeds we will have planted at least 100 trees in Thailand! Of course other items such as food, water, hygiene articles and medication were also given out,” says Jonas.

Jonas said after the day’s rescue operations: “Witnessing the flooding situation in person has opened up my eyes, it made me realize just how bad the situation in Thailand really is and that these people need urgent help, we saw kids playing in dirty water, old people stuck on their roofs, animals totally abandoned everyone is hungry and thirsty and most of the houses have no more electricity. As soon as the victims saw us on the boat they swam straight to see us and were so kind and thankful it really broke my heart.”

Also joining the team on the operation was Jocelyn Chen, Midas Public Relations, who concluded: “Around 10 people from the BsaB team gathered at 7am from the BsaB store in Thonglor as the pickup truck waited to be loaded with all the supplies. This included the coconut citronella candles, produced by BsaB, some food and necessities. An hour out of Bangkok, we started to see the devastation that was the flood crisis. Cars, shops and houses were all under water as we cruised on a large crane-like truck into the heart of the town where a refuge centre was set up. A tent was hitched in a dry patch of the road, where some of the supplies were kept, ladies were cooking meals and supplies were being distributed to flood victims. The deputy mayor was there to greet and thank the BsaB team. The team then boarded a boat to visit all the affected houses. There were people rowing boats around the affected area as the only mode of transport. Children who were playing in the muddy water, were ever so excited to see our boat approach them with a bag full of goodies. People who were stuck in their houses greeted us with a big smile and big curiosity from their windows as they accepted these bags. Some looked down from their second floor, where they were stuck, and used a bucket attached with a rope as a pulley to receive the BsaB bag. “

Today- 3 of my team had to remain home as they are affected by the water coming in- so far nothing in Silom/Sathorn or Sukhumvit area is to be seen.

Water and heat – a lot of people need help !

young and old is waiting – nobody knows how long !

The Thai´s cannot stay alone – they need our support !

She is happy – she had something for the next hours.

a typical traditional family home- on the groundfloor is now a sea instead of the street

everybody is helping – here a young man is helping an older man to the other side of the former street and today a water river.

from Joachim Fischer ( Tourism-Insider) and Karin Lohitnavy ( MIDAS Bangkok)