SURAT THANI: His Majesty the King extended support to charity runner Toon Bodyslam by giving him flowers, food supplements and Thai desserts on Wednesday.
AM Pakdi Saengchuto, assistant private secretary to HM the King, presented a bouquet, food supplements, health drinks and Thai sweets to rocker and charity runner Artiwara Kongmalai and his team members at Bunjongburi Hotel in Muang district. About 1,000 people including local authorities and residents attended the ceremony.
AM Pakdi said the Thai food supplements and Thai desserts were prepared at a royal kitchen of the Bureau of the Royal Household and HM the King also extended a message to the team, wishing them physical and mental strength to fulfil the mission.
The charity run team apparently felt overwhelmed by the royal support, with tears in their eyes.
The Kao Kon Lakao (everyone takes a step) charity run project of Artiwara, better known as Toon Bodyslam, 38, stretches 2,191 kilometres from the southernmost border to the northernmost district.
It aims to raise 700 million baht for medical supplies for 11 needy public hospitals. Toon set the target based on a donation of 10 baht each from 70 million Thais.
The 55-day run, which alternates between fours days of running and one day of rest, started in Betong district of Yala on Nov 1. As of Wednesday, when the team took a break in Surat Thani, it covered 572km and raised 238 million baht. The south-north run was expected to finish on Dec 25 in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.
