Currently, in the flood crisis, all citizens are united in helping the victims, including "Mae Hai Arpaporn Nakhonsawan" Although she cannot assist on-site, she has continuously transferred money to various foundations and volunteer organizations.
She confided to Thairath Entertainment that seeing the victims' plight moved her to tears, especially in Khlong Chan housing estate where water, electricity, and phone services were cut off, forcing residents to wade through water until their feet were raw and bleeding. She believes this crisis may be more severe than the great flood of 2011.
“I want to send my support to everyone. Right now, I can’t go out to help, but I’m donating money. I gave 20,000 baht to organizations of Professor Beer from Khon Tuen Tham, 20,000 baht to Boom Panadda, and today 10,000 baht to groups of Mor Lam Luk Thung singers. I’m sending funds to wherever help is being given, as much as I can. I want to encourage everyone; it’s truly difficult to watch.”
Especially around Khlong Chan, where water, electricity, and phone lines are cut. How can they cook rice? How do they use the bathroom? People wade through water to get food, their feet rotted and bleeding. I saw the news and felt so sorry. This might be even worse than the 2011 flood.”
“In 2011, I was also a flood victim living on the Thonburi side. My first house had water rising about a foot to the second floor. At my other home on Charan 13, when big trucks came, water flooded the lower floor. We used sandbags to block it. Back then, I helped because I wasn’t too busy and distributed supplies to flood victims. I was a victim myself but helped out. This year, I can’t physically help, so I’m donating money instead. I want to encourage everyone; I know everyone is suffering. Seeing it makes me tear up sometimes.”
Are we managing?
“We are managing, no, no, no. Don’t be slow. The government is too slow. People aren’t fools anymore; they see everything. Now, organizations are giving out aid with full force. Sometimes, I see news that they have to wait for budget approval. Don’t let it get to that point. If we are helping this much ourselves, why pay taxes? What is the government for? Maybe we don’t even need it. We Thai people are always generous. Every organization, whether led by P’Bhin Ekaphan, Fun Dee Fun Den, they are all trying to help. We all see and are compassionate Thai people.”
“So when campaigning, remember what you say. Don’t claim you’re neutral all the time. Don’t think I’m someone who chose sides. Don’t. Whoever insults me, I’ll insult back because I’m a Thai citizen who pays taxes without ever deducting a baht. I pay about 2 million baht a year in taxes, not a small amount. Every job I accept, taxes go to the government. I’m the taxpayer. So whatever you do, give something back to us, the people. Don’t be slow.”
“And everyone saw the parked cars—who could escape? If the authorities had warned us, everyone could have prepared. Don’t create a false image. When they say ‘it’s manageable,’ no one is ready. They deserve to be criticized. Sometimes when the public complains, you all need to accept it because we all eat too.”
“If anyone insults me, I’ll respond because I work and pay taxes just like everyone else. I don’t support any government. I never support anyone. I say it plainly: whoever does well, I praise; whoever does badly, I criticize. So those who like to talk carelessly, don’t be so reckless. I’m just a taxpayer who never expects tax refunds because I want my taxes to help the country. Watch out, all you talkers.”
Sending encouragement to the flood victims?
“I want to support all the people. Sometimes I think, today I must travel to Sakon Nakhon, but if I can’t go, I’ll help with flood relief where it’s organized. I want to help prepare food and tell them, ‘We’re here to help.’ Seeing it makes me feel sorry. Some people don’t even have cooked food. If the government truly wants to help, why not act at 70% effort?”
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