CHIANG RAI: Rock star Artiwara "Toon Bodyslam" Kongmalai yesterday completed his charity run of 2,215km from one end of the country in the deep South to the other in Mae Sai district of the far North 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 residents, posed for photos with them and thanked them for waiting such a long time to give him encouragement.
Security was also 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 retinue 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 northern 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. They had expected the star to arrive on Sunday but he changed his route.
Representing national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the group's chairman Songdej Thipthong also 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, also flew to Chiang Rai yesterday to give him 4.4 million baht in donations.
Nattaya Mille, the hospital's medical department chief, yesterday said Dr Chanchai, accompanied by medical staff, travelled to the northern province to deliver the donations and express thanks to Toon.
