Fundraising at a rural School

[Loombucket]

Today we have come to the local School in Ban Nong Krat Noi. A little village in the middle of farmland. The School is at the end of the road. I 'pop' in, every now and then, to help out with my explosive constanants master class and was delighted to assist in expanding the coffers

I have visited many areas of 'outstanding natural beauty', but very few compared with the view from behind the goal posts.



While the Fathers 'warm up' at the shady end,



...some of the Mothers and helpers start to fill the assembly hall, ready for the speeches. You can see the delight on their faces.




The School is quite old, with timber classrooms,




...and nicely painted, yet ancient toilets.



The kids don't seem to care too much.



The seniors have a new room, behind the assembly hall. Not exactly high tech, but an improvement on nothing.



Here are some seniors, looking pleased with themselves.



Just before the main event, the sound of large engines fills the air. It's the local bike club, who have arrived to lend their support.



Some tasty machinery here including a couple of real Harleys.



Now it's time for the main event. Speeches by the Govenor, on the left, and the Head, on the right.



We all go up on to the stage, in turn, and hand over our envelopes. Then we are introduced to the crowd and thanked, repeatedly.

Lunch has been provided by the many helpers, and the kids form an orderly que.



Mine is brought to the table. This is Lut Naa, wide ribbony noodles with al dente greens and some pork, in a thick gravy. Yummy!



The biker chaps/chapesses invite me to join them and they turn out to be a great bunch.



Some are a little unruly, hidden in the folds of his belly it reads ...I kill. Fortunately, no one understands English enough to notice!



Lunch over, the bikers demonstrate the art of 'toss the can and hit it with a stone from a slingshot'. The leader is a master at it.



This goes on for a while as the kids are amazed. I have a go but I am rubbish.

At the end of the day, we all gather to hand out some party bags. Some of the kids have never seen one, let alone taken one home.



All too soon, it's time to leave. Everyone treats me like a visiting King and I feel a bit of a fraud because I gave so little. I swallow the tears and promise to come back next year.

[jandajoy]

It's great but weird that bikers are set up as roll models for the kids.

[leprac]

Awesome thread/post thanks.I am currently in South Africa,moving to Los in about 10 days time max.As bikers we do the same type of work here.I would really liked to get involved with the same kind of thing that side.

[jandajoy]

Are the bikers seeking some kind of absolution?

[leprac]

^^ those days of bikers ALL being hoodlums is long gone.

[jandajoy]

As bikers we do the same type of work here.

Bikey gangs are becoming charitable organizations? I can't wait to see those "Mother Theresa Tramps" colours.

[melvbot]

It's great but weird that bikers are set up as roll models for the kids.

Why is it weird?

[jandajoy]

Why is it weird?

Fair question.

Whats the common perception of "Bikers"?

What would you say the majority of the population (pick your country) perceive bikers to be?

Hells Angels
Mods and Rockers
Gang fights
Organised crime
Drugs

etc. etc.

Yet they're welcome as guests to a school and presented as leading lights of the community?

Something to aspire too?

A good thing?

An example of positive constructive community involvement?

I don't know. That's why I think it's a bit weird.

[leprac]

Things have changed since the hells angels days in the 60's and 70's.Sure there are still so called biker "gangs" that are out to cause trouble.Take a look at what a big bike costs today,it aint cheap.So people who ride 750cc bikes and above tend to be a better class person.I have been riding for the last 35 years,and have been involved with charity runs etc etc.

[leprac]

give credit where credit is due,whats the diffs whether its bikers helping out,churches,round table etc etc

[melvbot]

What would you say the majority of the population (pick your country) perceive bikers to be?

I think the UK sees most bikers as moderately successful middle aged men who seem to make up a large part of the biking scene nowadays.

Hopefully the kids wont have had their perception of people who ride motorbikes influenced by films and movies and just see them as people.

[jandajoy]

I think the UK sees most bikers as moderately successful middle aged men who seem to make up a large part of the biking scene nowadays.

Really? I'm obviously well out of touch. It's a very different story in Aus.

[leprac]

My sister is in Perth.She mentions its a bit wild compared to South Africa{biking scene}.Although in general,you couldnt pay her to come back to Sa.The Oz infrustructure works,better schooling,very clean......just her 50 cents worth I suppose.

[melvbot]

Motorcycling in the UK is more of a seasonal pastime rather than a lifestyle choice or form of all year round transport. I was an all weather biker whereas the majority tend to be hobby bikers/enthusiasts/posers who appear around April and disappear by the end of September. The hobby bikers tend to be riding top of the range sports bikes with some wearing very expensive leathers out for a ride on a Sunday rather than gangs of Hells Angels riding Harleys sporting beards and chapter vests.
Theyre seen more as racers/speeders than marauding drug dealing gangs.

[leprac]

^The poser group is massive here as well.Never see them in winter,and the bike can be 3 yrs old with less than 5000kays on the clock.

[jandajoy]

She mentions its a bit wild

google the go on bikies in Aus. It's getting pretty interesting.

[jim1176]

..............

[jim1176]

these bickers are probably this areas crooks and extorters ... similar to politicians in the US

nice pics

[sabang]

In Thailand there is a big difference between 'motosai gangs'- generally pain in the arse youths into drug dealing, fighting, necklace snatching and whatever- and biker clubs. Considering a Harley can easily run you a million bht or more in Thailand, the biker clubs are for the affluent. They often get involved with charitable activities.

[grasshopper]

Yes, in Oz the middle eastern drug gangs are moving into the biker culture. I understand that is because there is a ready made system for drug distribution and associated less than savoury activities. There has been a rash of bandaid laws passed in the various States here to ban/smash these gangs.
Now we have the gangs getting together to put on a better image for public sympathy for the gangs. Large protest rallies where the different gangs put on a smiley face for public consumption seeking to undermine government support for the laws. They have even retained civil liberties lawyers to represent the grouping. But till the gang wars go on, people get shot, clubs and houses get shot up or bombed.
I wonder, there might be something to this government approach? Its also a good diversion from political woes for some governments here.
I dont include in these "groups" those people/organisations who just love riding and their machinery. The thought always attracts me - the open road, wind in your face and the throb of a big motor under you. Then the thought that every person i know, or knew, that rode has had at least one broken bone from riding. Well....
So I puts me young manhood fantasies back in the "to do" box.

[grasshopper]

Yes, in Oz the middle eastern drug gangs are moving into the biker culture. I understand that is because there is a ready made system for drug distribution and associated less than savoury activities. There has been a rash of bandaid laws passed in the various States here to ban/smash these gangs.
Now we have the gangs getting together to put on a better image for public sympathy for the gangs. Large protest rallies where the different gangs put on a smiley face for public consumption seeking to undermine government support for the laws. They have even retained civil liberties lawyers to represent the grouping. But till the gang wars go on, people get shot, clubs and houses get shot up or bombed.
I wonder, there might be something to this government approach? Its also a good diversion from political woes for some governments here.
I dont include in these "groups" those people/organisations who just love riding and their machinery. The thought always attracts me - the open road, wind in your face and the throb of a big motor under you. Then the thought that every person i know, or knew, that rode has had at least one broken bone from riding. Well....
So I puts me young manhood fantasies back in the "to do" box.

[xlineshooter]

YUP JandaJoy you are now "in touch" with the vast majority of the biker scene.

I too am a biker and my wife rides with me on many charitable events as you can see from the attached pictures which were taken last Sunday at "Ban Home Hug Orphanage" in Yasothon (sp), a 400km round trip for us and 27 other bikers and their passengers as well as 3 vehicles loaded with food and clothing. And, there is always a "free will" monetary offering given to the places we visit. We are both teachers (I being retired) with advanced degrees in education and are typical of the average biker you see on the "big bikes" as have already been explained to you by other posters. Here is a little more you should know about us bikers. When we put on our colors, we are not doctors, lawyers, factory workers, ditch digger, etc. We are a brotherhood and we serve children far more than any other part of the private sector. Lastly, because most bikers are part of this brotherhood, we never fail to stop if we see another biker broken down along a highway. If you were broken down along the roadside, how many cars do you think would pass by before one would stop to lend help?

Charity Ride To Ban Home Hug Orphanage pictures by xlineshooter - Photobucket

Charity Ride To Ban Home Hug Orphanage pictures by xlineshooter - Photobucket

[November Rain]

Considering a Harley can easily run you a million bht or more in Thailand, the biker clubs are for the affluent. They often get involved with charitable activities.

Exactly, sabang. I know members of the HH biker club and the Pranburi one. Some of the Thai members are seriously well-off &/or from influential families & both clubs do a lot for charity.

Lovely thread again, Loomy.

[Loombucket]

Lovely thread again, Loomy.

Thanks very much.

Some good responses here, regarding Bikers. I rode one for years in the UK. Tis true that the average person thinks of a biker as a long haired, greasy, hoodlum, but times have changed. Bikers come from all walks of life. Check out the Isle of Mann TT races, the old and the young mix with the rich and the 'saved for years to get there'. The bike and the lifestlye are the common factors. I have never had trouble with a biker, in my entire life. Great bunch.

[Rigger]

Thailand bike clubs are still about the bikes riding and having fun unlike some in western countrys. TD has many bikers involed with different clubs