NAKHON PHANOM: Popular singer-actor Pakin “Tono” Kumwilaisak plunged into the Mekong River in this northeastern province to start his charity swim on Saturday morning to raise funds for two public hospitals, with donations reaching 55 million baht by midafternoon.
Hundreds of people thronged Phaya Si Sattanakharat ground, the riverfront landmark in Muang district and the starting venue of Tono’s charity swim.
The 36-year-old actor is staging the swim to raise funds for Nakhon Phanom Hospital and a hospital in Khammouane province in Laos — under the campaign banner “One Man and The River”.
The day began with a ceremony to worship the naga, a mythical snake, at 8am on the Mekong riverbank.
The ceremony took place at Phaya Si Sattanakharat, which means the King of Nagas, amid light rain. The event was joined by Chanchai Kongtan, the provincial deputy governor; Supachai Phosu, Bhumjaithai party-list MP representing the province, administrative officials, …