On May 22 to 24, 2006, a southwest monsoon created continuous heavy rain for three days and nights, causing extensive flooding and landslides in sections of northern Thailand. The affected areas included four provinces - Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phrae, and Phitsanulok - where flooding from the mountain forest caused debris to cascade down toward the plains. Bridges, roads and dwellings near the mountain were destroyed, affecting many lives.

Local initiates immediately formed teams to provide emergency relief supplies to the victims on four consecutive days. The first relief effort began on May 25, when initiates observed that the roads and bridges to Chow-Hair District, Phrae Province were cut off and filled with mud. Initiates were informed by the Sub-District Administrative Organization of an immediate need from survivors for water, so they gave 60 dozen bottles to 283 households. Next, they prepared relief items such as rice, drinking yogurt, soy sauce, oil, soy milk, sanitary items and detergent for the flood victims.

On May 26, the second day, initiates went to Moo’s 7th village, Mae-Phoo Sub-District, Lab-Lae District, Uttaradit Province, which had been very hard hit by the flood. They cooked vegetarian food for the 200-300 victims and temple monks there. Next, they continued to Moo’s 11th village to distribute relief items to survivors and then traveled to Moo’s 2nd village, Hua-Dong Sub-District, where they were met eagerly by people who hurried to get the food and other emergency items.

 

Transporting relief items in a basket with a rope across the broken bridge.	Offering cooked vegetarian food for flood victims.

The next day, May 27, the relief team went to Moo’s 9th village, Natong Village, Chow-Hair District, Phrae Province. In order to reach the village, the team had to cross a broken bridge by first tying themselves with a rope and then springing up to other side. Relief items were placed in a basket fastened to a rope, and the rope was pulled across to the destination. Officers from the Civility Department's Disaster Relief Center helped initiates move many relief items across to the other side, making it possible to render more aid to the people. With God’s blessing power, all tasks were performed safely.

When initiates came to Natong Village itself, they found that they were the first relief team to arrive. They quickly distributed the desperately needed relief items, including rice and other canned foods. They then explained that their team was from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Thailand and that their Master was very concerned about the villagers. So She sent Her love through the initiates and the relief items in order to provide them with some material and spiritual comfort. Many expressed their gratitude for the help. Another team went to help at Namklai Village and NamJom Village and provided relief items to the leaders of the two villages to give to all their inhabitants.

On the following day, May 28, several initiates returned to Natong Village where they gave cooked vegetarian food and drinks to the 89 relief workers who were working hard to repair the bridges, etc. The workers said that the vegetarian food was delicious.