Following receipt of donations from BWG members, their families and friends back home, it was quite difficult to decide exactly what to purchase that would be the most beneficial to those devastated by the tsunasmi.
Gale Bailey, Judith Aphaiwongse and Jan Harding met with Khun Chartchai Srirussamee, Executive Vice President and Director of Provincial Consumer Banking, Bangkok Bank who had direct local information on what was needed by those most seriously affected.
It was decided that one of the best ways to help, would be to purchase fishing boats which would enable the men to get back to work to support their families thus regaining some normality of life.
After receiving costings for boats and gear together with a list of those families most in need, we found we had sufficient funds to initially buy five boats plus necessary equipment.
We decided to travel to the village when the boats were ready so that we could see for ourselves exactly what else might be required.
This gave us an opportunity to see for ourselves the results of everyones effort to date - The five one-man boats were assembled beneath a banner and all were inscribed with the words "The British Women's Group Thailand". Five brand new Honda engines were delivered whilst we were there, unpacked and placed one inside each of the boats, supplied at cost price from the local Honda agent.
