NAKHON PHANOM: Singer-actor Pakin “Tono” Kumwilaisak yesterday finished his seven-hour charity swim campaign, crossing the Mekong River twice to raise funds for two cash-strapped public hospitals, with donations reaching at least 58 million baht as of press time.
Tono plunged into the river in the northeastern Nakhon Phanom province to start his swim yesterday morning. He is raising funds for Nakhon Phanom Hospital in the province and a hospital in Laos’ Khammouane province under the campaign title “One Man and The River”.
Hundreds of people came to the Phaya Si Sattanakharat ground, the riverfront landmark in Muang district and the starting venue for Tono’s charity swim, to catch a glimpse of the action. There, the 36-year-old actor expressed happiness and pride in taking part in the campaign.
The day began with a ceremony to worship the naga, a mythical snake, at 8am on the bank of the river.
The ceremony took place at Phaya Si Sattanakharat, which means the King of Nagas, amid light rain. The event was joined by civil servants, residents and tourists.
Tono began his swim at 10.19am from the naga statue to the Wat Klang pier on the Thai side, about 800 metres away, accompanied by canoes, jet skis, swimmers and divers for safety.
Upon his arrival at the temple pier, the actor was greeted by people making donations to support his mission. He later jumped into the river again to continue his journey to Wat Phrathat Srikhotabong in Laos’ Khammouane, about 7–8 kilometres away.
At 12.15pm, TV Channel 3 reported that Tono had arrived on the Lao side. He and his team were taking a rest along the Lao side of the river, preparing to swim back to the Thai side later in the afternoon.
The combined distance for the charity swim is about 15km.
Tono and his team began swimming back from the Lao side at 4.09pm and arrived on the Thai side in Nakhon Phanom at 5pm.
“Thank you to all agencies… and all the Thai people [who’ve supported me],” he said, crediting his supporters immediately after reaching the Thai side. “I’m not the only one who could make it (referring to his team).”
The campaign attracted some criticism and concerns over his safety. However, it has been a hit with the public, raising at least 58 million baht as of press time, according to the One Man and The River Facebook page, surpassing his original goal of raising 16 million baht.