US Ambassador Launches Habitat for Humanity Thailand’s New Bangkok Affiliate

Welcome home: US Ambassador Darryl N. Johnson and his wife Kathleen with homeowner Lamyai and has daughter Nattapol

BANGKOK, 13th November 2004: US Ambassador Darryl N. Johnson and his wife, Kathleen, joined a building team for the first project in Bangkok by Habitat for Humanity Thailand.

The event, at Marialai, 26 kilometers to the east of the city, also officially launched the Bangkok affiliate of HFH Thailand. The Bangkok affiliate is the fifth voluntary group to be established in Thailand to pursue the organization’s goal to provide simple decent housing for those in need. The four existing affiliates are in Udon Thani, Nakorn Ratchasima, Chiang Mai and Lampang.

"There has never been such a need for affordable housing, both in the United States, in Thailand and in many parts of the world,” said Ambassador Johnson. “As our economies grow we have a responsibility to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from this growth."

“I am proud of the work that Habitat for Humanity does and I look forward to starting work on the new home of Khun Lamyai and her family. I wish her family many years of happiness in their new home. Kathleen and I are honored to be here today to start work on the first Habitat for Humanity project in Bangkok.”

Mr. Rungrote Tangsurakit, national director of HFH Thailand, commented, “Our new affiliate will help us increase our ability to tackle poverty housing which affects so many people, especially here in the capital. We are delighted that Ambassador Johnson and his wife are honoring us on this important occasion.”

Earlier this year, HFH Thailand launched an ambitious plan to build 1,500 new homes by 2006. Mr. Rungrote said, “The new Bangkok affiliate will help us achieve our target."

The initiative to establish the Bangkok affiliate came from contacts between HFH Thailand and the Bangkok Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic church. The Bangkok affiliate will also work with CODI, National Housing Authority, and Credit Union League of Thailand, and The Government Housing Bank. Initial meetings attracted also representatives from many communities in suburban areas.

The Bangkok affiliate’s initial goal is to help 22 families by building or renovating houses in 2005. The plan is to help 50 more families in 2006 and 100 in 2007.

HFH Thailand and the Bangkok affiliate contacted several communities to help including Marialai, Watponmanee, Hua Tha Kae, Samukkee Wattana, Sukapibarn 1, PermSin-Aorngurn and Saimai.“HFH Thailand is looking to open our sixth and seventh affiliates, in Chiang Rai and Khon Kaen, in the near future,” said Mr. Rungrote.“We are determined to step forward to help low-income families to own a decent place in which to live.”

Opening ceremony: Ambassador Johnson and his wife Kathleen cut the ribbon with Ladkrabang Community leader Surin Phuprasert

Hammer in hand: Ambassador Johnson works on one of the house walls as he sets one of the rods to the foundation

Building together: Kathleen Johnson works alongside her husband the Ambassador on one of the walls to the house