Thai jumbos raise funds for earthquake survivors

Painted in bright white and adorned with the Red Cross, the elephants have walked the streets of the old capital of Ayuthaya and the new capital of Bangkok to collect money for earthquake survivors in Haiti. They have mainly walked the famous Khao San Road in Bangkok, where tourists and Thais alike have responded generously to the quite unusual "trunk calls" from the gentle giants. Perhaps it is just too difficult to resist a gigantic mammal when it swings the collection basket in front of you, waiting for your donation.

The idea for the fundraising effort came from the President of Ayuthaya Red Cross Chapter, Mrs. Wasinee Piewpong, who contacted another Red Cross member, who owns the elephants. They normally walk tourists around the famous ruins of Ayuthaya, but got both a new challenge and and new workplace collecting money for Haiti. After a couple of days, they took the one hour trip to Bangkok where they walked Khao San Road, collecting more than 3,000 US dollars in just a few days.