Kao Kon La Kao: The Longest Charity Run for Hospitals in Thailand by Toon Bodyslam
When you’re in Bangkok, it’s easy to get blinded by the bright lights of shopping mall and lost in the rush hour traffic jam. It’s normal for a big city to have such a commotion, but what many of us forget is that Bangkok is only a small part of Thailand. Once you drive just a few miles outside of the town boundaries it becomes a clear why Thailand is still a developing country. The majority of the population clearly has a different standard of living than the souls in the big city.
Many amenities that are standard in the big city become a luxury outside of Bangkok. One of the biggest concerns of all would be the quality of healthcare available in hospitals outside of Bangkok. You can find that most of it has run-down facilities and outdated equipment. Families are still paying quite a premium in return for a sub-standard medical care from underfunded hospitals. One man set out to change this, and he did it like no other people can.
It’s hard to find someone in Thailand who doesn’t know the band Bodyslam. Their music have touched millions of souls all over the country and are sold out everywhere they are set to perform. The most well known of the group would be none other than the front man, Artiwara Kongmalai, or as we all know him as Toon Bodyslam.
Toon is known for his all-out performances with Bodyslam, giving his all on stage every time they hold a concert. He is in touch with his fans and is very down-to-earth. His modesty both on and off stage have made him a beloved figure of Thai people and a great role model for his young fans. Outside of music he is a professional table tennis player and started to pick up on running marathons. Now he has decided to turn his hobby into something that more.
Back in December of 2016, Toon set out on a mission to raise funds for medical equipment for Bang Saphan Hospital in Prachuap Kiri Khan. In 10 days he ran 400 kilometers from Suankularb Wittayalai School in Bangkok to Bang Saphan Hospital, an event that was celebrated by everyone in the country. To his surprise and gratitude, the event was able to raise an astonishing 85 million baht. Not only did he accomplish his mission, he won the hearts of many Thai fans as well as raised awareness about wellness and health among the population. This year, he is back for more.
After a discussion with the Ministry of Public Health, Toon has identified up to 11 hospitals that are still in dire need of medical equipment. More hospitals means more donations are needed than before. This year “Kao Kon La Kao” will start out way down south at Betong, Yala and will finish in the northern town of Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. It is a journey that will total in a distance of 2,191 kilometers and will take up to 55 days to complete.
The event will kick off on November 1, 2017 and is scheduled to finish on December 25, 2017. Toon has set sights on a donation target of 700 million baht this time around and he believes that “if all 70 million Thai people donated just 10 baht each, this ambition can become a reality.” We wish Toon all the best as he embarks on “the last long distance run of his life”.
Visit the official Facebook page for more information and updates on the event, as well as channels to make your donation.