Thailand Projects

With the unstable political situation in Myanmar, there have been an inflow of refugees into Thailand, especially at the border in Tak province for the past 40 years. This recently intensified since the Junta took over the country in Feb 2021.

As refugees from war torn Myanmar, many of the refugees are still stateless. To integrate into society, refugees who have completed their education in the Thai system, could apply for Thai citizenship.

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Through the help of Luang Pi Vera, who was also an active FFM member before his ordination, FFM was fortunate to come into contact with Luang Por Preeda and Dr Tui on October 2023. LP Preeda came to the area 27 years ago to advance his practice and has been supporting the development of education of the refugees. Dr Tui, Director of Umphang Hospital, has been in the province for the last 33 years, providing healthcare to the refugees on humanitarian grounds.

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FFM’s involvement to date

Education

1.  Nin Kee School – insufficient classrooms & facilities for the growing 

    number of students (kindergarten and primary school)

    a. Project S1a: Refurbishment of an existing classroom

    b. Project S1b: Building and new 3-classroom cum multi-purpose hall
    c. Project S1c: Reinforce kitchen floor
    d. Project S1d: Building of 5 new toilets + refurbishment of 8 existing              toilets
    e. Project S1e:  5 TVs for use in classrooms

2.  Chumchonbanthasongyang School – insufficient toilets and lack of             accommodation for secondary students
    a. Project S2a: Building of 20 toilets at secondary school site
    b. Project S2b: Building of secondary school hostel for 60 students

3.  Kwe Ka Baung Karen National High School (Refugee School) –       

     overcrowding and insufficient sanitary facilities at current school site
    a. Project S3a: Building of hostel & toilets for 300 students at new site
    b. Project S3b: Building of 18 toilets for girls

4.  Mae Wa Luang School – lack of toilets for students’ dormitory area
    a. Project S4a: Building of 10 additional toilets

Healthcare
5.  Umphang Hospital – Machines to treat retina diseases for refugees in 

     Tak province
    a. Project H1a: Purchase of Machine for treating retinal disease using

        laser light
    b. Project H1b: Purchase of Cold eye acupressure machine
 

FFM has donated a total of S$17K to the Thailand Forest Sangha for support during the rain retreat. A total of 14 monasteries has received donations. We thanked Sis Faa for topping up the donation, coordinating the transfers and offering on behalf of FFM. We also expressed our thanks to our donors for their generosity and kindness.

In Sept 2019, Bro Vera Santiboon shared that Buddha Dhamma Foundation (BDF) was working in partnership with Dhammagiri Foundation (Ajahn Cagino), The Angels Group and the Mobile Medical and Dental Unit Foundation of Thailand organized a Free Medical Camp to provide free medical and dental services to the underprivileged hill tribes living the remote regions of Northern Thailand.

The initial plan was to have a total of about 50 doctors, dentists, nurses and other healthcare professionals (therapists, pharmacists, alternative medicine) to participate in a free “Medical & Dental Health Camp”, held on 31st Jan to 2 Feb 2020 at Mae Hong Son, NE Thailand. This was approved by the local authorities. Dhammagiri Foundation provided the meals & lodging for the doctors, dentists, nurses etc.

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On the actual day, the total number of the medical professionals alone grew to over 120. On top of these, there were many other volunteers, like the security personnel (police & army), students & teachers for ushering, checking, interpreters for the many tribal populace, Dhammagiri youths and volunteers. The many volunteers, which included drivers and cooks supported the logistics and the provision of meals for the patients who had travelled from a distance from their various villages.

Total project cost is estimated at about S$50k and about half (S$25k) have been raised from Thailand. Bro Vera proposed that FFM help to contribute towards this much needed and worthy project.

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​Mobile Medical & Dental Camp
Firefly Mission contributed THB 500,000 (equivalent to S$25,000) to the project amount which came from the Bay Family (IMO of parents Bay Tan Wah, Tan Seok Mai) contributed S$15,000.

The disciples of Luang Phor Sumedho and devotees of Wat Nong Pa Pong branch monasteries, doctors, team members of mobile medical units, The Angels Group, Firefly Mission and Dhammagiri Foundation express our gratitude for the very generous donations made toward the Free Medical Camp at the north Thai borders hill tribes and Mae Hong Son.

It was indeed heartening and touching to observe the many happy moments for both the volunteers and the recipients of the Free Medical Camp. The villages expressed their heartfelt gratitude for those who had come so far to improve their lives. Even so, the volunteers felt touched and moved that it had indeed been a worthy, fruitful and life-learning experiential trip.

Total cases of treated patients for the 3 days, was approximately 2,027.

Skin Diseases 408 patients
Dental 566 patients
Eye Care 587 patients
Osteopathy & acupuncture 238 patients
General 228 patients

Donated to the flood relief project during Thailand worse flood led by Luang Phor Boonmee.
 

Restore the radio station Luang Thad in Bangkok which was damaged by the flood. FFM donated the radio equipment and rebuild the radio equipment room.

In 2004, Mae Chee Tay had suggested to Firefly Mission that we made a recce trip to Maesot (border to Myanmar/Thailand) to give assistance to a group of needy Karen farmers which can be accessed only via the jungle road. During the raining season, the four wheel drive vehicle needs to be chained up and traveling will not be possible during the wet season. Hence, very few locals will travel to the village and likewise, the villagers are not able to travel freely for economic purpose which contributed to their material poverty. The villagers rely on generator for electricity, rain or rivers for waters. Parents do not permit their children to travel many kilometers to school by foot due to safety reason which hinder the path out of poverty.

In year 2005, a group of 13 volunteers brought along food groceries purchased at Mae Sot town/Muser market for distribution to the villagers with the guidance from the various Kruba Ajahns namely Ajahn Tham, Ajahn Sorasak, Ajahn Piak and Ajahn Chad who are residing within the mountainous terrain. Since 2005, Firefly Mission has been continuing supporting humanitarian works in Thailand.

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Community/Education Projects

• Improvement to road or path which is dangerous for vehicle to travel and hence make the road safer for drivers and passengers during the raining season.

• Construction of girls hostel near government school so that the villagers can send their children to be educated in a safe environment and in turn encouraged more parents to support education for their children.

• Construction of village school so that more children can receive education.

• Donations to the laying of water pipes from river to new water tanks and new toilets so that villager basic needs are met.

• Donated grainary machinery to Ban Pa Ka and Huay Cheng Lai villages to improve efficiency in processing the grains.

• Donated a football field for the Huay Cheng Lai, Ban Pa Ka, Sam Meng Theng villages for community building.

Bro Ernest had suggested to reach out to the Shan tribe in Fang and Piang Luang. The needy is mainly the refugees from Myanmar. Fang, Piang Luang are situated at the Chiang Mai province/Thailand at the border of Myanmar Shan State.

The objective is to create a better, brighter and safer future for the children and villagers living in Thai and Myanmar border.

We have contributed the following children programs

Providing food enhancement for the school children,
Stationery for the children,
Novice education program,
Building a block of class rooms and a block of bamboo class room for the children.