Sawang Boriboon Foundation, Pattaya, Thailand.

It started out as a Thai-Chinese Buddhist Humanitarian Charitable Organization founded in 1948. They have a place very near to Naklua Fish Market in Pattaya, Thailand.

It is a good place to go to make Merit, that is to give something away or help others, to try and get a bit of good luck, sometimes for your birthday or sometimes because your luck is a bit thin to non existent, or maybe donate some money for no reason!

I guess it is a reflection of the Buddhist Philosopy of doing good for others to get brownie points! Not only run by donations but by some staff and a lot of volunteers.

They are based within a large compound with a Chinese style temple. There you can make a donation towards their Running expenses, filling in a duplicate donation form and receiving a receipt and a note telling how to go in their temple and what to do to get some good luck!!

They run an ambulance service (there is not an organized proper one). So you will see their sign written ambulances with lights and sirens blazing as they go to assist the unfortunate people who get ill or are involved in accidents. The ambulances are run with trained staff for Emergencies, either Accident or Medical Response.

They also look after and deal with the deceased who have no money or family to fund a funeral. In fact that is going back to basics for them as they started out originally by looking after Chinese workers who were poor, ill or even dead, with no family to help them.

They also have a school founded in 2001 with a new school being opened in 2012 in Soi Noen Plub Wan. It is for teaching Thai, English and Chinese and based upon Thai-Chinese Traditions. Starting out with about 100 they now teach over 2000 pupils.

Did I mention they have a boat or three and will rescue and recover from the sea too, although I don’t think their boats have flashing lights or sirens! Their Marine Rescue boat operates from Bali Hai Pier and is manned 24 hours.

They help with Disaster Relief and Rescue Missions and have also used boats in the Flood Relief Missions they have taken part in with coordinated help from other Organisations.

So if you are feeling like donating to a worthwhile cause then here it is! Pop over to Naklua and give them a few Baht! And in the meantime put these numbers in your phone for emergency use:

Pattaya 038 222 474, National 1669. They do operate from various locations around the country and are not the only Ambulance Service.

Lastly, I have just seen this article from The Pattaya News, which is a bit annoying and sad! Not really much you can do to secure a small wooden Box on the street!

Thieves steal air conditioning unit from Volunteer Rescue Workers office

Disclaimer : Other Charitable Organisations are Available.