MAVERICK MP Mongkolkit Suksintharanon is following in the footsteps of Thai star Phakin Khamwilaisak, or Tono, whose charity swim across the Mekong river to Laos and back raised 56 million baht for two hospitals by gearing up to swim across the Chao Phraya river to raise money for flood victims, TV Channel 7 said today (Oct. 24).
Mongkolkit, who is the head of Thai Civilized Party, said in a Facebook post that his project, “One Man on Chao Phraya River,” is being undertaken because he had seen millions of people suffering in many provinces and in desperate need of food and clean drinking water.
He added that on Loy Krathong day, Nov. 8, he will swim back and forth the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok wearing only swimming trucks.
All the money raised will be shared among flood-hit provinces because the government’s budget is limited. Provincial governors could use the donations to buy food, water and other necessities for both those whose homes have been flooded for a long time and those only briefly inundated.
Mongkolkit pointed to the Election Commission’s regulation prohibiting all MPs from handing out relief aid to any flood victims who may happen to be their own constituents whilst all cabinet members including those who may practically perform as MPs in concurrent fashion and other government officials are legally allowed to do so.
This then prevented Thai Civilized Party from donating anything to help the flood victims with its leader saying he would have to ask the polling agency whether he could undertake this charity swim.
After he shared a video clip of practicing for the big day, netizens posted comments cheering him on with some saying they would like to see how much money he would be able to raise.
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Thai Civilized Party leader Mongkolkit Suksintharanon wading through floodwater recently in this photo he posted on his Facebook page.
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