Smiling faces grin from makeshift shelters on the edge of devastation.
While the public mobilizes to support the human lives affected by massive flooding in Thailand’s north and northeast, one volunteer has made it his mission to help those with no voice – and four legs.
“Just seeing them come live in the house and have a slightly more comfortable life already brings me happiness,” said photographer Sitthichai Ekkapan, who this week has been hailed a hero for his efforts.
Sitthichai gained notoriety this week after he posted pictures of makeshift dog houses he built to shelter the four-legged victims of flooding in Ubon Ratchathani, one of the worst-hit provinces.
“I will not stop building until there is enough shelter for every life affected by the flood,” he wrote in a Sunday post.
In other posts, Sitthichai – who in recent weeks has been aiding flood victims – explains how he saw hundreds of animals abandoned and left to fend for themselves. He’s not the only one who’s made that observation. People have been posting pictures of dogs abandoned amid the flooding as well as animals being run over in the chaos.
ได้โปรดอย่าทิ้งพวกเขาไว้เลย 😢 #SaveUbon pic.twitter.com/uONHnqE2AX
— PEPPER POTTs (@ploy_pess) September 13, 2019
Sitthichai explained that some people have donated food for the dogs, but they don’t have any shelter from the elements.
He therefore solicited donations of materials or discarded items such as wood, vinyl and wire, which he used to fashion several houses from various items including discarded signs.
As of publishing this story, Sitthichai had not responded to messages seeking comment. We can only assume he’s too busy saving some furry lives.
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