Instead of eagerly listening for sleigh bells on Christmas evening, children in rural Northern Thailand are maintaining an ear out for an engine hum from a bike driven by the native legend “Santa Claus of Rayong.” Thailand’s Old Saint Nicholas goes from Rayong to northern provinces each December, driving his bike piled excessive with toys and handing gifts out to youngsters.
64 yr outdated Yongut Sangdee has been the “Santa Claus of Rayong” for 27 years. He says he loves spreading Christmas cheer and happiness. It’s his passion, he says, and he’ll continue to do it till he’s physically unable to continue.
Some of the presents are slightly different this 12 months as a result of coronavirus pandemic. Along with dolls, toys, sweaters and blankets, Yongut will be handing out face masks and hand sanitiser. The Santa of Rayong even made an appearance early this 12 months. In May, he helped set up a roadside food pantry to help those with monetary issues introduced on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many people in the neighborhood assist out by making donations and shopping for toys to be handed out to kids. โซล่าเซลล์ helped out by cleaning the donated toys.
“Santa of Rayong” started his journey earlier this month and is handing out toys to youngsters in Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son..