By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, April 29 (NNN-BERNAMA) — When the Thai government announced a 14-day closure of non-essential services such as entertainment outlets, parlours and sports venues in Bangkok starting March 18 to curb the spread of COVID-19, the first thing that came to Kannikar Petchkaew’s mind was the fate of the daily wage workers and their dependents.
The Chiang Mai-based journalist knew it would be a struggle for these workers as the closure of the outlets would spell joblessness for them. Therefore, she decided to offer free meals to bring some relief to those impacted.
“Food is crucial. By offering them some food, it sends out a message – do not give up and we should not be too dejected. I want to let them know that someone is there to help and love them,” she told Bernama when contacted.
She started to offer 100 portions of simple meals for the first few days starting from March 21 outside her house. Many jobless and underprivileged individuals came to pick up the food, and the crowd got bigger.
While Kannikar’s initial plan was to provide aid till the 14-day closure ends, the kingdom’s government declared a state of emergency from March 26 to April 30, prolonging the closure of non-essential services. And Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan o-cha announced yesterday (April 28) that the emergency is extended to the end of May.
As a result, Kannikar – aided by nine staff in two separate kitchens – has been preparing 400 portions of meals, as well as essential food items such as milk and fruits for about 70 children, daily.
“We plan the menus based on the ingredients we have. Sometimes, kindhearted locals donated ingredients for us to prepare the meals.
“I will provide free meals for as long as I can. With financial strain growing day by day, till this moment, I am committed to helping… I can’t turn my back on them. I hope the government will find measures to help the underprivileged,” she said.
However, Kannikar declined offers of cash donation.
“This may hurt their feelings (for not accepting cash donation) … But that is my commitment; I will not take cash donation. They can donate food or any daily essential items and send them to the handling station. They can contact me and see what we can do,” she said.
Restaurant owner and Bangkok resident Chatthurong Na Takuathung, 31, is offering free meals to support the dedicated frontline heroes of COVID-19.
The former petroleum geologist said everyone is having a hard time since the COVID-19 outbreak.
“That’s why I stepped up to offer help and lend moral support and spread good vibes amid the pandemic.
“It is also a simple gesture to thank the healthcare workers for their tireless work in fighting COVID-19,” he said, adding that he and his staff took about three hours to provide 150 lunch boxes and 120 desserts for healthcare workers at selected hospitals.
Jongjai Kitsawang, 58, who owns a popular fried pork shop in Khlong Toei, provided more than 1,000 packs of fried pork and rice for healthcare workers, the unemployed and the underprivileged in Bangkok through a project called “Chefs by Chance”.
She said the project, which ran for five weeks, had come to an end last Monday.
However, Jongjai is continuing to help out those impacted by COVID-19 to earn an income, where the cash-strapped and unemployed re-sell her popular dish in the form of food boxes.
“Prior to the pandemic, there are some criteria for those who sell our food boxes. Now, they just need to be diligent… then I will support them.
“Although it was tiring, what mattered most were the smiles and happiness on the faces of those I have helped. I feel happier,” said Jongjai.
–BERNAMA
