While aid finally catches up with human needs in the flood-devastated northeast, stranded animals abandoned to fend for themselves are getting a little relief thanks to a big-hearted photographer.
A week after sharing his images of adorable shelters for adorable dogs, Sitthichai Ekkapan told Coconuts Bangkok about more of his makeshift creations for the dogs, cats, cows and other voiceless victims left behind on a patch of land cut off by floodwaters.
“I’ve never been someone who loved animals before this. But when I came here and saw it with my own eyes, my perspective completely changed,” Sitthichai said by phone afternoon.
Gimme Shelter: Man builds little dog refugee camps in flooded Thailand (Photos)
Sitthichai, who lives in another part of Ubon Ratchathani, said that though some people have donated dog food, the animals didn’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. He’s been constructing them ever since.
Sitthichai said he’s lost count of the number of shelters he’s built all over the “island” but estimates he’s helped “hundreds of lives.”
“I wake at 7am every day, catch a boat and get to the island around 10. I work till the last boat around 5pm,” he said. As a freelance photographer, he has the freedom to dedicate his days – and nights – to the animals.
“Sometimes I set up a tent and just camp out here,” he said, adding that some generous donors have provided the means to do so. While Sitthichai has inspired other volunteers – about four or five come daily – from across the kingdom, including Bangkok, to come and help build these shelters, he’s the only one that’s at it full time every day.
“It’s hard work, especially under the sun, but I’m having a lot of fun… and the animals need our help. I’m really happy to be doing this work.
Sitthichai hopes that his work will inspire others to start supporting stray or street animals for “they live vulnerable lives, we should help protect them if we have the means.” Instead of buying a pet from a store, perhaps people can start adopting the creatures that need help.
