A Thai Needs Our Help Now! Can You Help???

[Guest travelerjim]

Dear Friends,

 

Over the past month I have learned about a young 31 year old

man who is in desperate and urgent need of medical care NOW!

 

Over on the Sawatdee Forum, a poster - lovethai - cried out for help!

...as he was at a loss for what to do and his Thai friend (not bf)

whom he took in from the streets when the man was sick with HIV+/AIDS...

now has developed more severe and threatening medical health problems.

 

I replied by pm to lovethai and arranged for the young man to meet with me,

my bf, and Dr. Philippe to gain insight into his problems.

 

Dr. Philippe said he was surprised to see the Thai - that he was still alive -

as he had seen him over 6 years ago and not heard from him since.

The good doctor added he believed the Thai now has MDR TB - Multiple Drug Resistant TB.

 

It is a difficult and more costly form of TB to treat and that he would have to refer

him to the government hospital in Chonburi - where Dr. Jureerat can possibly help him.

 

According to Dr. Philippe, he does not have the drugs needed in Pattaya to treat

this form of TB, therefore the need for him to go to Chonbuti.

Nor does he or HEARTT 2000 have the funds to help this young man.

 

My bf drove the Thai to Chonburi the following day. He met with staff doctors

there and they set up an appointment for him to see Dr. Jureerat the following

Wednesday in Chonburi.

 

In the meantime, the Thai DOES NOT have a Thai ID. A Major Problem!

The staff doctors told him to try and get it again.

 

The young man then traveled home to his village in hopes of getting a new Thai ID.

But to no avail as he does not have standing to prove who he is.

 

As a young child, he was abandoned and put out into the streets to fend for himself...

bounced around from place to place...and even was in Father Ray's Orphanage in Pattaya

for several years.

 

Years ago, he met a farang who took him to Sweden for two years -

only to beabandoned again...and as he was on a forged Thai passport

he secured KhoSanRoad style in Bangkok...

he was in big trouble with Thai Immigration upon his return to Thailand.

 

He has been in the Pattaya scene and diagnosed with HIV+/AIDS for at least 6 years.

Once a very strong and active young man he now is a shadow of himself of past...

Getting weaker and the complications of his MDR TB are threatening his life.

 

He met with Dr. Jureerat last Wednesday and she has set up tests for him to take

at Chonbuti Government Hospital next Monday September 6th at 8:00am. From the results

of those tests to update his medical condition, a new treatment plan for him will

be drawn.

 

However, Dr. Jureerat said HE MUST PAY FOR ALL his medical care and prescriptions.

HE HAS NO MONEY TO PAY...The farang who has provided ..and will continue to provide

shelter and food for him off the streets DOES NOT HAVE MONEY TO PAY.

He is at his limits as to what he can do.

But is crying out for help, as the young man is very sick!

 

Today, I have asked Thais4Life if they would help by administering any funds/donations

received on behalf of the young man. They are considering my request to do so,

to ensure that only his medical costs are paid for...plus bus fare to and from

Chonburi from Bangkok - he lives near the new BKK airport.

 

I have told Wally at Thais4Life I will verify each baht spent on his medical care,

with both detailed receipts and medical reports from the doctors caring for him.

 

RIGHT NOW...I AM JOINING LOVETHAI IN CRYING OUT FOR HELP FOR THIS YOUNG MAN!

YOUR DONATIONS OF THAI BAHT ARE NEEDED NOW. HE BEGINS ANEW WITH HIS MEDICAL CARE

NEXT MONDAY - IN 3 DAYS...AND FOLLOWING WILL BE A MEDICAL CARE PLAN FOR HIM.

Lovethai will pursue any and all leads again to seek out the Thai ID for this young man.

With it, he will become eligible for the 30 baht Thai National health care plan.

 

I WILL MAKE SURE 100% OF ALL DONATIONS RECEIVED ARE SPENT ONLY ON HIS MEDICAL CARE AND

BUS FARES TO AND FROM THE CHONBURI HOSPITAL.

 

UNTIL THE YOUNG MAN CAN GET A THAI ID CARD,

HE NEEDS OUR HELP NOW...MORE THAN EVER!

 

IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE PM ME...I CAN ARRANGE TO SEE YOU IF IN PATTAYA.

OR I CAN GIVE YOU A BANK ACCOUNT IN WHICH YOU CAN DEPOSIT MONEY.

 

Also in the coming days I will ask invite friends in Pattaya and Bangkok to

volunteer to receive donations. I will post such information as it is known.

 

More information will be posted by me as it becomes known.

 

Thank you for your much needed replies...

on behalf of a young man in need.

 

TravelerJim

[Guest fountainhall]

Thank you for posting this and giving us the opportunity of helping. I have sent you a PM

[Guest travelerjim]

Re: A young Thai w/ HIV+ with MDR TB NEEDS HELP!

 

Thanks fellas for your quick pm replies and donations:

 

.....I will pm you with specific donation information as it becomes available.

.....A PayPal account for donations is being set up.

.....A Thai bank account will be available for donations very soon.

.....I will contact 3 clubs in Jomtien, Sunee and Boyztown areas in the

coming days about point of contact for donations.

.....Will explore possible activity or events in Pattaya as benefit.

 

So much is in need of being done...your support and patience is welcomed.

 

First priority has been to:

.....determine the validity and needs of the Thai for medical care;

.....setting a medical care plan in place for him with Dr. Jureerat;

.....putting in motion the fund raising needs for his medical care;

.....further explore the HOW TO get him a Thai ID.

 

I will post more information as it becomes known.

 

Much needs to be done...Thanks to you,

we have started the journey together...

to give the young Thai renewed hope for life.

 

Thanks again,

tj

[PattayaMale]

TJ,

For the benefit of those considering helping, has Dr. Jueerat given any guess on how much will be needed?

 

Also, once again, thank you. You are always the go to guy when people need medical help. You certainly have set a wonderful example.

 

Do you have a bank account number in Thailand where people can make a deposit?

[Guest travelerjim]

Re: A young Thai w/ HIV+ with MDR TB NEEDS HELP!

 

 

Dear Friends,

Here is the Thai Bank Account for Donations:

 

Krung Thai Bank (KTB)

221-0-23657-6

 

This KTB account is in South Pattaya Branch

and the two signatures on the account are

Pattaya Male and TravelerJim.

 

My thanks to Pattaya Male for his willingness to again help.

Originally, we set this account up a year ago, as Executors for the GP,

to accept donations in Memory of The Gay Pattayan.

 

Now, this bank account will serve once again ...

in helping give a young Thai man renewed hope for life!

 

For those who do choose to deposit donations to this KTB account,

please pm me so I will know the source and amount you are depositing.

Donations will be kept anonymous...but PattayaMale and I need to know

for donation records we will be keeping.

 

Thanks for your caring kindness and donations.

 

tj

 

[Guest fountainhall]

tj - what is the name of the account? This is useful for checking that deposits are being made to the correct account.

[Guest beachlover]

More background to this appeal here: http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/gay-thailand-f9/help-advice-needed-please-t19970.html

 

It's terrible what this kid was, in a way, abandoned to...

[Guest fountainhall]

It's terrible what this kid was, in a way, abandoned to...

It is indeed terrible. So will you be making a donation, beachlover, like many other posters have promised on this and GB's site? Or will the privacy concerns you expressed in the Private Message Conversation thread take precendence -

 

don't want to fiddle around with making a donation some place without compromising privacy

Where there's a will there's a way.

[Guest travelerjim]

tj - what is the name of the account?

This is useful for checking that deposits are being made to the correct account.

 

fh,

 

Krung Thai Bank

221-0-23657-6

 

Last Names on account are

Reuss and Miller

 

We both were the Executor's for The Gay Pattayan

and this account was set up a year ago after the GP died...

to receive donations for his university.

 

The account is still OPEN and both Executors are pleased to make

it available to receive donations for Nop - for his Medical Care only.

 

Thanks for caring...

 

tj

[Guest beachlover]

It is indeed terrible. So will you be making a donation, beachlover, like many other posters have promised on this and GB's site?

 

Since you asked, the answer is no, I personally don't feel compelled to help at all. I don't know him or the guy who takes care of him...

[Guest fountainhall]

Since you asked, the answer is no, I personally don't feel compelled to help at all. I don't know him or the guy who takes care of him...

To each his own. I suggest your attitude tells us something.

[Guest beachlover]

Since you asked, the answer is no, I personally don't feel compelled to help at all. I don't know him or the guy who takes care of him...

 

To each his own. I suggest your attitude tells us something.

 

Oh great. Are you calling me an arsehole now?

 

Yesterday I saw some guy decline a street fundraiser who stopped him in the street to sign him up for regular donations to WWF (World Wildlife Fund, I think). Would you mind calling him an arsehole too?

 

(Street fundraisers are common in Sydney).

[Guest]

This is to each his own. Some feel a desire to contribute and some do not. There are thousands of these cases in Pattaya alone. This one man just happen to get the attention of Jim who has a very kind heart and willing to try to help him raise the money.

 

I don't like giving money to people I don't know personally. I know Jim and PattayaMale and would trust that the money was given to the person they said it was going to be given to.

 

I have helped pay for the treatment of many guys like this in Pattaya. I always have a stipulation that goes along with my support. That is a once per month test to be sure they are free of yaya. Why? The doctors I have talked to here say that if they are taking the meds and doing the yaba that they are wasting their time. Is that an undue burden for some? Sure. Is it one of the things I require before giving money? Yes. Perhaps that makes me an asshole. But, that is just the way I want some of my money spent.

 

I have been burned by giving money to people who posted stories on the gay message boards in the past. Only to find out that the money was used for something other than the intent. That leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

 

I do not know the guy that Jim is talking about. I do know Jim and PattayaMale and do trust that they would be able to make the funds go to the right place. They are 2 of very few I would actually trust. My main question is: Why can't a group organize so they are a legit registered charity in Thailand and one that has open books for all to see and one that can help guys like this? Is that so hard to do? Why is it not done?

[Guest beachlover]

Those are fair and sensible comments, GT.

 

Couldn't quite make sense of the last sentence though: "Why can't a group organize that is a registered charity in Thailand and that has open books that can help guys like this? Is that so hard to do? Why is it not done?"

[Guest]

Those are fair and sensible comments, GT.

 

Couldn't quite make sense of the last sentence though: "Why can't a group organize that is a registered charity in Thailand and that has open books that can help guys like this? Is that so hard to do? Why is it not done?"

 

Sorry, I changed my statement above. What I meant to say is that I don't understand why it would be hard for a group to organize a charity in Thailand that is for the benefit of the gay community. I would like to see this charity fill out the Thailand paperwork, organize, open bank accounts and keep books for anyone that donates to walk in and see from time to time. I have never seen this in Thailand. I would love to see it here. Why is it so hard to do?

[PattayaMale]

I really don't know if the paperwork for opening a charity is hard to do or not. However, I have been told that all charities are taxed. In fact it is my understanding that the tax may be as high as 50%. I'm not really sure if this is the case. But I've been told this several times when the subject has come up.

 

As for this particular young man I am sure that traveler Jim would be happy to publish the amount paid out for medical care. He has done this in the past.

 

It is true that there many men in Thailand that are very needy. As gay Thailand has said those that are taking illegal drugs will not be helped by much of the therapy. Since traveler Jim has dealt with this many times, not meaning to speak for him, I am sure that Jim will make sure illegal drugs are not being used.

 

Some posters here may be able to donate others may not be able to donate or they may not wish to donate. In my mind donating is a personal choice.

 

I just don't understand the need for a poster to discourage others. This emergency request would not have been posted by traveler Jim if he did not think it was important.

 

The Thai phrase up to you certainly applies here.

[Guest]

I just don't understand the need for a poster to discourage others. This emergency request would not have been posted by traveler Jim if he did not think it was important.

 

I agree with you. I have not seen anyone on this board discourage this. If you think my post did that, that was NOT my intent.

[Guest beachlover]

I agree. Good on TravelerJim for taking the trouble to organise this. Especially since act of administering it is a lot more trouble than simply throwing money at it.

 

Whether you want to donate should be entirely up to you. Discouraging or insulting people for making a personal decision of this nature doesn't help anyone.

[Guest fountainhall]

I do not know the guy that Jim is talking about. I do know Jim and PattayaMale and do trust that they would be able to make the funds go to the right place.

I think most of those who donate now are doing so for exactly the same reason. I do not know PattayaMale but I trust Jim implicitly. If he says this is urgent and important, that is enough for me.

 

Many of us already give regularly to charities we support. Unfortunately, there are many other deserving cases out there. This one seems especially sad. I remember some time ago there was an appeal for one of the long-time waiters at Dick's Cafe in Bangkok. He had picked up an especially dreadful illness that was incurable. The appeal was to help make his last days more comfortable. This poor boy, when asked some time before the illness by a gay magazine what his ambition was, had replied: "The job I do now - being a waiter in Dick's Cafe." RIP

 

As to forming a charity, I am trying to find out more information. I happen to do some work from time to time for a charitable foundation here in Bangkok. It is managed by a Board of Trustees, all of whom are Thai. It generates income each year, it also pays out fees when such are necessary in meeting its stated objectives. I can tell you that its income is in no way taxed by any government or city department. It pays no taxes! I suspect it did cost something to set up the Foundation in the first place (many years ago, in this case), especially in lawyer's fees. More information when I have it. In the meantime, I have a feeling that it would be extremely difficult to set up a charity unless a considerable majority of the Board is comprised of native Thais. That may have been one of the stumbling blocks for the Pattaya Street Kids charity. But that is just a guess.

 

What I meant to say is that I don't understand why it would be hard for a group to organize a charity in Thailand that is for the benefit of the gay community

I am 99% certain there are gay charities in Thailand. The problem for us farang is that they are Thai charities and presumably we do not get to hear much about them. I do recall hearing a lot about the gay activist Khun Nathee Teerarojanapong who was responsible for getting a lot of people and companies to donate to gay-related issues, especially HIV-Aids. He had tried, and failed, to win a seat in Parliament and was often seen on television discussing gay issues. Unfortunately, he became very controversial last year when, for very good reasons which we need not discuss here, he suggested the Chiang Mai gay parade be called off.

 

Perhaps it is up to us to find out more about any Thai gay charities and make an offer to help.

 

I have been told that all charities are taxed. In fact it is my understanding that the tax may be as high as 50%. I'm not really sure if this is the case. But I've been told this several times when the subject has come up.

Please see my comments above. Properly registered charities that have approval from whatever Ministry dishes that out are not taxed. If they were, why would all the rich and powerful of the elite serve on numerous charity Boards? If the government was taking a huge chunk of donations, do you think they would bother giving up their time and quite a bit of their cash? I do not know who spins this tax business, but common sense dictates that it is just not true.

[Guest travelerjim]

Re: A young Thai w/ HIV+ with MDR TB NEEDS HELP!

 

Thank you for your caring support...in reply to a donor...

here is a report of the young man's visit to hospital yesterday:

 

Undaunted wrote:I have honored my pledge at Krung Thai Bank today.

I hope the contributions keep coming ...

"Save one life and you save the world".

 

Also, two more donors from this board...and one from another board...

either have made a bank transfer deposit to Krung Thai Bank

or will do so upon his arrival into Thailand later this month.

 

Thank you for caring!

 

Thank you Undaunted for your donation.

Much appreciated and so important!

 

The young man met with doctors at Chonburi Government Hospital

yesterday, Monday September 6th from 9:00am - 1:30pm.

He underwent a series of tests to include X-Rays and Blood tests.

 

My bf was there with him and from contributions, (our home is 10 minutes from

the hospital) and he paid for the hospital bills for the day and gave the young

man 200 baht, as agreed, for his bus fare to and from Chonburi.

 

My bf, an MBA student at Burapha University, will be liaison with the young man

whenever he needs to see the doctors at the hospital or needs medical care...

and he will pay the hospital bills for the medical care. No money is given to

the young man - other than bus fare.

 

Full medical & tests results reports and receipts will be maintained

for the our records and accountability.

 

Another doctor's appointment has been set for him on Wednesday,

September 15th at Chonburi Hospial.

 

Dr. Jureerat, who is Dr. Philippe's founding associate

in HEARTT 2000, will be coordinating his medical care.

She is at the Chonburi Govt Hospital. Dr. Jureerat is out of the country

this week, but she will be back next week.

 

Thanks again for your caring support.

More reports and updates on his medical care will be posted/issued as known.

 

Hopefully, PayPal will be in place within a few days.

The USA holiday weekend has delayed it. But today, Tuesday is back to work in USA.

 

TravelerJim

[Guest travelerjim]

For those who to donate via PayPal...

 

From your PayPal account...

send your donation in US Dollars...

enter as...

 

Personal...Gift

 

To my e-mail:

 

jmiller161@hotmail.com

 

I will monitor the PayPal transactions.

 

Any funds donated will be used for the young man's medical care

and NO withdrawal fees from my account will be charged.

(I use AEON in Thailand to withdraw without the 150 baht service fee.)

 

Please confirm your donation by e-mail or pm to me,

 

Thank you for caring!

 

tj

[Guest fountainhall]

Thanks Jim for being the Good Samaritan - again. I hope many more posters will contribute, no matter how small the donation.

[Guest travelerjim]

Dear Friends,

 

Here is an update on donations received and medical care given to date:

 

DONATIONS:

 

So far, there have been received or pledged 7 donations:

 

By transfer into the Krung Thai Bank KTB account:

2 donations ...5,000 Thai baht + 1,000 Thai baht

 

By PayPal account transfer:

2 donations ....US $50.00 + US $33.00

and 1 donation pending of 1,000 Thai Baht

(to be withdrawn and changed to US$ by the donor)

 

Pledges made:

1 pledge of US $100.00 to be made in Thai Baht by KTB transfer

upon donors arrival into Thailand late September.

 

1 donor wishing to donate in Pattaya - in process of making contact.

 

MEDICAL UPDATE:

The young man sees the doctor's at Chonburi Government Hospital next Wednesday September 15th for results of tests (x-rays & lab/blood tests taken on September 6th). At that time a medical plan will be proposed by Dr. Jureerat for Nop. It is expected that medications will be prescribed starting with this visit.

 

My bf is with Nop at each doctors visit to gather medical reports and pay the hospital bills. No money is given to Nop other than 200 Thai baht each time for his bus fare from Bangkok to Chonburi.

 

COSTS TO DATE:

The total costs for the first hospital visit of September 6th: 1,020 Thai baht.

220 THB for X-Rays

600 THB for Lab tests

200 THB for bus fare/Nop

 

THANKS AGAIN FOR CARING!

More donations will be needed, so please donate

...Using bank transfer in Thailand to KTB Bank

...Or with PayPal in US Dollars if donating from outside Thailand.

...Or by pm TravelerJim and I will meet you to receive your donation.

 

TravelerJim

[Guest travelerjim]

Re: A young Thai w/ HIV+ with MDR TB NEEDS HELP!

 

Thank you friends, here is an update report on Nop's visit to Dr. Jureerat

on Wednesday September 15th.

 

The young man, Nop, saw Dr. Jureerat at Chonburi Government Hospital on Wednesday

September 15th. My Thai bf was with him and from donations, he paid the hospital bill for

laboratory tests and medications, plus 200 baht for Nop's bus fare, as per agreement with him.

 

Nop will again see Dr. Jureerat on Wednesday September 29th for further investigations, per Dr. Philippe, into Nops' medical condition. Especially regarding the TB issues which Dr. Philippe suspected earlier this month when Nop saw him. The TB tests taken by Dr. Jureerat show NO present sign of TB, but both doctors Dr Jureerat and Dr. Philippe are questioning this finding.

 

The further tests or investigations as Dr. Philippe calls them on Sept 29th will hopefully give the doctors added insight into Nop's medical condition.

 

Nop is to wear a surgical mask when around others as a precaution and was given medications to take by Dr. Jureerat. Those persons who have been in close contact with Nop over a period of time is encouraged to be tested for TB now.

 

Indeed he is very sick man and does have HIV+/AIDS.

He has lost weight per his friend Bob who has provided food & shelter for him.

Bob is NOT his bf.

 

I will e-mail added information as received from Dr. Philippe to donors to keep them up to date.

 

Thanks again to the caring donors and added funds will be needed. Please use either PayPal

or bank transfer at Krung Thai Bank as posted messages above to make your donation.

 

The issue of the Thai ID card is being further explored. It may come to pass that he is not Thai.

That has been discussed amongst us over the past month in great detail.

 

However, regardless of what his nationality is, he needs our help!

 

He is a HIV+/AIDS sufferer and has spent most, if not all, his life in Thailand and on the streets of Pattaya, in Bangkok, and in the Pattaya bar scene and Father Ray's Orphanages, according to his friend Bob. At 31 years of age, he deserves a better life ahead.

 

Some may ask? How did he go to Sweden? Where he lived with a Swedish farang for two years before being cast out by the farang? Simple, he had a Kho San Road forged Thai passport.

 

The bottom line is HE NEEDS HELP, has NO money and has NO one else to turn to for help.

More information as it becomes available.

Thank you!

tj