Rock star Artiwara "Toon" Kongmalai yesterday completed his charity run of 2,215 kilometres from one end of the country to the other with donations exceeding 1.15 billion baht.
Several celebrities accompanied Toon including actress and TV host Panadda "Boom" Wongphudee and comedians Udom "Nose" Taepanich and Kohtee Aramboy.
The army plans to send an aircraft to pick Toon up so he can return to Bangkok tomorrow.
In tambon Huai Khrai, more than 4,000 locals lined the streets to welcome the rock star and give him moral support. Toon greeted them, posed for photos and thanked them for waiting such a long time to give him encouragement.
Security was provided by officers from the Pha Muang military task force and Mae Sai police officers. At the border, one lane of the road was closed for Toon and his entourage to pass.
On the 55th day of his charity marathon to raise funds for 11 state-owned hospitals nationwide yesterday, the Bodyslam frontman had managed to bring in donations exceeding 1 billion baht, far more than his initial target of 700 million baht.
Toon started the last leg of his charity run in the northernmost province outside Chiang Rai Highway District 2 in Muang district and jogged along Phahonyothin Road.
In Muang district, over 100 local artists from the Art Bridge Chiang Rai greeted Toon. Representing national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the group's chairman Songdej Thipthong donated 676,000 baht acquired from the auction of their artworks.
Chanchai Janworachaikul, director of Khon Kaen Hospital which is among the 11 state-run hospitals to be funded by Toon's charity run, flew to Chiang Rai yesterday to give him 4.4 million baht in donations.
