Charity helping Thai children says thanks

An orphanage in Thailand has a new medical building thanks to the efforts of a Banbury charity and town businesses.
The old medical building at an orphanage in Thailand helped by the Little Siam Trust. NNL-170221-164438001The old medical building at an orphanage in Thailand helped by the Little Siam Trust. NNL-170221-164438001
The old medical building at an orphanage in Thailand helped by the Little Siam Trust. NNL-170221-164438001

Little Siam Trust was set up by Roger Garnett and his wife Dr Khanungnit Garnett after seeing several schools and orphanages in Thailand struggling with the basics such as text books and food.

The charity helps orphans, impoverished and disabled children. Over the years, it has slowly increased its public profile and has held charity events such as bingo.

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Speaking to the Banbury Guardian, Mr Garnett said he noticed the medical building of the orphanage, called Rachaprachanukrow, in the Chai-Nat province was in a dilapidated state during a visit.

Dignitaries at the opening of the new medical building funded by the Little Siam Trust. Dr Kym Khanungnit, second left, and Roger Garnett, third left. NNL-170222-092806001Dignitaries at the opening of the new medical building funded by the Little Siam Trust. Dr Kym Khanungnit, second left, and Roger Garnett, third left. NNL-170222-092806001
Dignitaries at the opening of the new medical building funded by the Little Siam Trust. Dr Kym Khanungnit, second left, and Roger Garnett, third left. NNL-170222-092806001

He said: “The building they had was terrible. We talked to them about replacing it and they came up with the figure of around one million baht (around £23,000).”

Last month, the Garnetts returned to officially open the new medical building. Pictured at the opening are Dr Garnett, Mr Garnett, His Royal Highness MR Dilok Varanand Chudadhuj, Khun Chulalaksana Chudadhuj, volunteer Zoltan Geiger, the school’s director and the town mayor.

The money raised for the building came with the assistance of businesses in Banbury including Siam House Thai restaurant, Comic Connections, A&C Fish Bar, Ruscote Fish Bar and Tran’s Fish Bar who hosted collection boxes.

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Mr Garnett said: “We want to say thank you and we’ve done it.”

Dignitaries at the opening of the new medical building funded by the Little Siam Trust. Dr Kym Khanungnit, second left, and Roger Garnett, third left. NNL-170222-092806001Dignitaries at the opening of the new medical building funded by the Little Siam Trust. Dr Kym Khanungnit, second left, and Roger Garnett, third left. NNL-170222-092806001
Dignitaries at the opening of the new medical building funded by the Little Siam Trust. Dr Kym Khanungnit, second left, and Roger Garnett, third left. NNL-170222-092806001

The charity has also raised money to help send school leavers to university and to buy computers and televisions for the orphanage. Over the past 12 years, the charity has raised around £100,000, but in its first year, it raised £1,200. Contact the charity at [email protected].

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