AYUTTHAYA: A big crowd of well-wishers and three caparisoned elephants greeted rock star Artiwara “Toon" Kongmalai when he arrived in Ayutthaya on Thursday morning, as donations to his charity-fund run rose above 614 million baht.
On Day 37 of his 2,191-kilometre marathon, Toon and his team arrived in Bang Sai district of this central province about 8.40am.
At the entrance of the Esso petrol station at kilomometre maker 41 on Highway 340, the first rest area of his charity run in this district. the singer and other runners were directed to pass under the belly of the elephants, to bring them good luck.
The popular abbot of Wat Pom Raman, Phra Khru Kasem Chanthawimol, gave Toon and his team a blessing. They were also presented with a cheque for about 2.2 million baht - donations from local residents to his charity fund.
Toon thanked everyone for the warm welcome, and for the experience of walking underneath an elephant for the first time in his life. He told the cheering crowd he was no hero. The true heroes were all the doctors and nurses at hospitals who worked so hard to save people's lives.
After a rest, he was due to resume his run at 3pm, heading for Suphan Buri, his home province.
But after learning of the large number of Suphan Buri people lining the route there from Bang Pla Ma district to Muang district to welcome him, the singer hit the road again at 11.30am.
He aims to raise 700 million baht for needed equipment at 11 regional public hospitals, running from the southernmost district of Betong in Yala province to the northernmost district of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province.
Chaiwat Worachetwarawat, 62, a special lecturer at Rajabhat Ayutthaya University and the first person to run from Betong to Mae Sai, in 1986, joined Toon in the charity run, saying he was proud to run beside him.
According to the charity-run's Kao Khon Lakao (everyone takes a step) website, contributions had surpassed 614 million baht as of 12.40pm on Thursday.
.jpg?w=600)
